May be important in developing and maintaining corneal transparency and for the structure of the stromal matrix. Selectively expressed in cornea of adult where it is detected in keratocytes but not in scleral cells. In embryo, first detected in periocular mesenchymal cells migrating toward developing cornea on 13.5 dpc; expression gradually restricted to corneal stromal cells on 14.5 to 18.5 dpc. Detected in scleral cells of 15.5 dpc but not in 18.5 dpc embryos. Binds keratan sulfate chains. Belongs to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family. SLRP class II subfamily.