A shortage of ophthalmic pathologists exists. This has resulted in a decline in the teaching of this specialty to residents, fellows, attending pathologists and ophthalmologists. Furthermore, opportunities to learn eye pathology at national and international pathology meetings are few. The purpose of this course is to present a spectrum of classical, common, and exotic ophthalmic pathology cases, from the cornea to the optic chiasm. Participants will be exposed to a wide variety of ophthalmic pathology, and the course will benefit all levels of pathology residents, fellows, and attending pathologists.

The course comprises a brief introduction and overview of ophthalmic pathology, and seven main categories: 1) Cornea; 2) Conjunctiva; 3) Eyelid; 4) Uvea; 5) Retina; 6) Orbit; and, 7) Optic Nerve. Each of the seven categories will feature a classical ophthalmic pathology concept or diagnosis in the usual 'case presentation' format, and, in addition, will include brief case presentations of a few other additional diagnoses per category, as follows: 1. The cornea section will spotlight the pathology of the everyday cornea specimens including cornea transplants, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, and Descemet's membrane specimens. Corneal dystrophies and infections including Acanthamoeba keratitis will also be discussed. 2. The conjunctiva section will feature melanosis. Pterygium, hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis, lymphoid and squamous proliferations will also be discussed. 3. The eyelid section will feature sebaceous carcinoma. Chalazion and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome will also be discussed. 4. The uvea section will spotlight uveal malignant melanoma. Melanocytoma, medulloepithelioma, and uveal neurofibromatosis will also be discussed. 5. The retina section will spotlight retinoblastoma. Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration will also be discussed. 6. The orbit section will feature pathology of the lacrimal gland. Epithelioid hemangioma, inflammatory pseudotumor, and metastatic neoplasms will also be discussed. 7. The optic nerve section will feature optic nerve gliomas. Cases of optic nerve meningioma, optic nerve choristoma, neuroophthalmic sarcoidosis, neuromyelitis optica, and progressive external ophthalmoplegia will also be discussed.

The PowerPoint presentation will include numerous clinical ophthalmology and histopathological images with minimal text slides, a style I have incorporated based upon feedback from my teaching experiences. Therefore, if you, for example, would prefer all 20 minutes of the retina section be dedicated to a detailed discussion of retinoblastoma, this course might not be for you. If, on the other hand, you could be satisfied with 10 minutes of the salient features of retinoblastoma, followed by 10 rapid minutes of additional retinal pathology including diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, then this course might appeal to you. Virtual slides of select highlighted cases will be available to pre-registrants prior to the meeting on the USCAP website. A syllabus including a bibliography of select cases and a handout of the PowerPoint slides will be available at the meeting. Participants will receive web access of the PowerPoint presentation following the course along with the text portion of the handout. Questions and answers are strongly encouraged during the course, and I am available following the course by telephone, e-mail, etc…

Upon completion of this course, participants will: 1) be able to recognize the characteristic histological features of some classical, everyday, and exotic ophthalmic pathology diagnoses; 2) be able to adequately handle ophthalmic pathology specimens and be familiar with the language of ophthalmology; and, 3) have insight into the remarkable world of ophthalmic pathology and become interested in keeping this often-neglected specialty relevant.

(NEW COURSE) This course may be used for CME credits or SAM credits.