Preparation & Examination Techniques

    

     The autopsy globes and the vitreous body specimens remain submerged in water during the entire process of preparation. A specimen holder made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used for support.

    FLOWER technique (developed and named by Z. Makhacheva)

    After marking the sclera to indicate the upper-lower and temporal-nasal segments of the autopsy eye, the sclera is cut with scissors between the four rectus muscles, stopping before the macular area and the optic nerve head. The resulting four petals are turned outwards and secured with stainless steel surgical thread to the PMMA specimen holder. The choroid and retina are also cut to form four petals.

     WINDOW technique (developed and named by Z. Makhacheva)

    After marking the sclera to indicate the upper-lower and temporal-nasal segments of the autopsy eye, two longitudinal cuts are performed with scissors through the middle of the internal and lower rectus muscles; the macular area and the optic nerve head are spared. The longitudinal cuts are smoothly connected and the “window” comprising the lower-nasal segment of the sclera is removed. The underlying choroid and retina are excised in the shape of the scleral window.

     TRAMPOLINE technique (developed and named by J.Worst)

    This technique is used to examine the internal structure of the VB specimens, and more precisely the posterior and anterior vitreous. The vitreous specimen is hemmed with stainless steel surgical thread to an additional PMMA ring, which is mounted on the PMMA specimen holder. The PMMA ring can be detached and the specimen can be examined from both sides. The anterior approach, in which the dissection of the vitreous specimen is performed in the antero-posterior direction allows the examination of the bursa premacularis and prepapillary area in their integrity. The posterior approach, in which the dissection is conducted in the opposite direction allows for thorough examination of the anterior portions of the vitreous.