The purpose of the course is designed to meet the educational needs of a staff ophthalmologist and ophthalmic resident and also to provide a primer for staff pathologists and residents who have an interest in ophthalmic pathology. The goal is to fulfill a gap in ophthalmic pathology training nationwide since the unfortunate closure of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in 2011.

Goals:

1. Provide an understanding of ocular embryology;
2. Provide an understanding of ocular tumors to include retinoblastoma, ocular melanoma and choroidal metastases;
3. Review the pathology of ocular surface neoplasia and lymphoma;
4. Review the pathology of glaucomatous disorders;
5. Review the pathology of eyelid and adnexal tumors;
6. Review optic nerve pathology;
7. Review the nuances of corneal histopathology;
8. Review pediatric ocular tumors;
9. Review orbital and lacrimal gland tumors and to review the pathology of ocular inflammatory and infectious diseases;
10. Review the histopathology of ocular inflammatory and parasitic diseases.
 

a) the importance of good communication between clinician/surgeon and pathologist;
b) instances in which the pathologist makes the diagnosis that eluded the clinicians;
c) instances in which the pathologist makes a diagnosis that is of not only ocular but also systemic significance;
d) the importance for the clinician of questioning the initial diagnosis when some clinical features don't fit and when the patient isn't responding to therapy.

To illustrate these themes, some of the cases will be classic cases, others will be somewhat atypical presentations of not-uncommon diseases, and others may be examples of more rare conditions (but still ones that the residents/faculty should know).