Which is a long-term metabolic effect within the stroma?

Which is a long-term metabolic effect within the stroma?

• A. Thinning
• B. Edema
• C. Striate
• D. Infiltrate

Answer: (D)

Infiltration captures the idea of long-term metabolic change in the stroma because it reflects chronic inflammatory and immune activity within the stromal tissue. When inflammatory cells migrate into the stroma, they bring with them enzymes, cytokines, and metabolic byproducts that alter the extracellular matrix, lead to protein deposition, and disrupt the organized collagen that keeps the cornea transparent. This cellular and biochemical activity represents a sustained metabolic effect, resulting in stromal opacity or scarring over time. Thinning describes loss of stroma volume, which is more a structural/degenerative change than a metabolic one. Edema is fluid buildup, typically an acute or reversible swelling due to endothelial dysfunction. Striae are linear markings from edema or scar formation, not ongoing cellular infiltration.

Infiltration captures the idea of long-term metabolic change in the stroma because it reflects chronic inflammatory and immune activity within the stromal tissue. When inflammatory cells migrate into the stroma, they bring with them enzymes, cytokines, and metabolic byproducts that alter the extracellular matrix, lead to protein deposition, and disrupt the organized collagen that keeps the cornea transparent. This cellular and biochemical activity represents a sustained metabolic effect, resulting in stromal opacity or scarring over time.

Thinning describes loss of stroma volume, which is more a structural/degenerative change than a metabolic one. Edema is fluid buildup, typically an acute or reversible swelling due to endothelial dysfunction. Striae are linear markings from edema or scar formation, not ongoing cellular infiltration.