kiriwhatu
1. (noun) cornea - the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. It refracts light.
Ko tā te kiriwhatu he whakahakoko i te aho e uru atu ana ki te karu, kia tau atu ai ki te arotahi (RP 2009:245). / The purpose of the cornea is to bend the light entering the eyeball, so that it reaches the lens.