Ophthalmology Specimens

Requisition

Hospital sites use: CLS Surgical Pathology

Community sites use: CLS Ophthalmic Pathology Consultation (Form REQ9033AP)

Please complete the requisition.

Note: If infection is suspected, a second specimen should be sent to CLS Microbiology with a Microbiolgy requisition.

Specimen Handling and Transport

Vitrectomy

Submit the specimen FRESH (no fixative) in an appropriate sized plastic container. Label the container appropriately. Containers must be securely tightened to eliminate leakage.

Specimens must be submitted to the Histology lab as soon as possible. Call the lab to notify them that the specimen is being sent.

Enucleation and Eye Contents / Evisceration

Submit the specimen in 10% Formalin (NBF) in an appropriate sized plastic container. There should be 10 times the volume of fixative to the volume of tissue and the fixative must cover the specimen. Label the container according to CLS requirements. Containers must be securely tightened to eliminate any leakage.

Small biopsies, Corneas, Lesions

Submit the specimen in IBF fixative in an appropriate sized plastic container. There should be 10 times the volume of fixative to the volume of tissue and the fixative must cover the specimen. The IBF is colored by the laboratory in order to make small tissue fragments easier to find. Label the container according to CLS requirements. Containers must be securely tightened to eliminate any leakage

Specimens for Viral Studies (PCR)

If specimens may require PCR (viral studies), the physician should contact an ophthalmic pathologist at 943-3418.

Submit the specimen FRESH (no fixative) in an appropriate sized plastic container. Label the container appropriately. Containers must be securely tightened to eliminate leakage.

Specimens must be submitted to the Histology lab as soon as possible. Call the lab to notify them that the specimen is being sent.