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Essentials of Autopsy Practice pp 87–129Cite as

A Histopathologist’s Guide to Ocular Pathology

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Summary

Ophthalmic pathology at autopsy can seem a daunting business to the uninitiated. However, it has much to offer scientifically and diagnostically once the initial fears are overcome. The procedures are no more difficult — once learned — than those in many other branches of pathology. As ever, the “secret” is in good preparation and thoughtful and careful execution of all of the technical procedures. Therefore I encourage you to consider working in this extremely interesting area of pathology.

The most important component of autopsy ophthalmic pathology practice remains that of ensuring that all appropriate permissions and informed consents have been obtained for taking and retaining tissues. It is vitally important that the family of the patient be fully consulted and informed about the procedures, that they can be reassured that the reasons for performing the procedures are valid, and that there is no possibility that their relative will be “mutilated” by the procedure. The pathologist’s role here is to ensure that family members can spend important time with their deceased relative after the procedures have taken place, should they wish.

Specialist ophthalmic pathologists are available for consultation in individual cases. Most of us are very happy to receive case material from other pathologists should they wish to refer it and obviously to provide feedback of the results to both pathologists and clinicians.

This chapter has been adapted, reproduced, and expanded from Parsons MA, Start RD. Necropsy techniques in ophthalmic pathology. ACP Best Practice No. 164. J Clin Pathol 2001;54:417–427, adapted and reproduced with permission from the BMJ Publishing Group.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    M. Andrew Parsons MB, ChB, FRCPath (Senior Lecturer)

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  1. M. Andrew Parsons MB, ChB, FRCPath
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Guy N. Rutty MD, MBBS, FRCPath, DipRCPath(Forensic) (Consultant Home Office Pathologist) (Consultant Home Office Pathologist)

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Parsons, M.A. (2006). A Histopathologist’s Guide to Ocular Pathology. In: Rutty, G.N. (eds) Essentials of Autopsy Practice. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-026-5_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-84628-026-5_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-967-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-026-9

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