Pathology of the Eye and Periocular Tissues

Surgical pathology of the eye is unique in that the eye is a polarized organ with multiple segments, any of which may develop primary disease. In general, eyes removed at surgery and submitted for examination of ocular disease should have the periocular tissues, eyelids, and extraocular muscles removed prior to fixation. Once the eye is fixed and rinsed, it needs to be sectioned. The cornea is the most rostral portion of the globe; the junction between the cornea and the sclera is the limbus. The cornea has a limited set of reactions to various injuries that occur. The uvea is composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It is pigmented with melanin and is very vascular. Since the uvea is a vascular structure, perhaps the most common reaction to injury is inflammation. The lens is composed of epithelium surrounded by a basement membrane, the lens capsule.