Eye and Adnexa Sectioning

Abstract

VITREOUS SAMPLING Sampling of the vitreous for toxicologic and other forensic investigation or for microbiologic studies is best performed on an eye that is intact and without known structural intraocular disease such as a retinal detachment (Fig. 1). A 15-gauge needle is inserted at an oblique angle through the sclera at a point 5 mm lateral to the limbus (corneoscleral junction). The needle will traverse the pars plana and enter the vitreous body. Damage to the retinal cells will result in a falsely high potassium value (the correct vitreous potassium concentration can be used for a rough estimation of the postmortem interval), and thus gentle aspiration of 2–3 mL of vitreous is required. The material is drawn into a 10-mL sterile syringe and may be stored at 4°C for up to 48 h.