Examination of the Globe: Technical Aspects

Abstract

As in many surgical specialties, much of the tissue which is excised in an ophthalmic operating theatre is not submitted to pathological examination. The common operations such as cataract extraction, corneal graft (keratoplasty), glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy) and extraocular muscle shortening (squint) yield specimens which exhibit histology that is not considered by many clinicians to be relevant to the further management of the patient. However, an informed opinion is required for the investigation of inflammatory or neoplastic disease of the eyelids, the conjunctiva or the orbit, but such histopathology is well within the remit of an experienced general pathologist equipped with a good textbook.