Full-thickness eye wall biopsy. II. In primates.

We devised a technique to perform an intact full-thickness eye wall biopsy in primates. An eye basket is sutured to the eye wall for stabilization. Trephines demarcate and incise a 4 to 7 mm. circumferential area of sclera; diathermy deepens the incision until perforation is achieved. The biopsy specimen is removed and immediately fixed for histologic evaluation, and the eye wall defect is covered by a 7 mm. scleral homograft. Our results showed that histologically excellent biopsies can be obtained with minimal damage to the eye.