Harvesting fresh tumor tissue from enucleated eyes: the 2008 Jack S. Guyton lecture.

There is an increasing need to obtain fresh tumor tissue and normal tissue for genetic studies and research following enucleation of an eye for uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, and other lesions. A concern about doing this is that the globe will often collapse and lead to difficulties with gross and histopathologic interpretation. The technique reported herein is based on the creation of an opening in the sclera using an 8-mm corneal trephine followed by removal of tumor tissue. This method provides adequate tissue, preserves the spherical configuration of the eye, and allows for excellent histopathologic sections.