Abstract

STUDY:Cross-sectional
AIM:To evaluate if donor eyeball from deaths due to systemic malignancy with metastasis show tumour cells on histopathological examination (HPE), cytopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies
METHOD:48 eyeballs from 24 donors with active malignancy and metastasis were evaluated using slit lamp examination and then sent to ocular pathologist for gross examination, HPE, IHC of tissues and cytology of aqueous and vitreous to detect malignant cells
RESULTS:Slit lamp showed no features of tumour seeding as confirmed by gross examination of cut tissue. HPE of all layers of the eyeball did not show any tumour cells and confirmed by IHC by absence of specific markers. Cytology of vitreous and aqueous showed no malignant cells.
CONCLUSION:Donor corneas from death due to malignancy and metastasis do not harbour malignant cells as proved by HPE, IHC and cytology and hence can be safely used for corneal transplantation without risk of transmission of donor malignancy.

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