Ocular/vitreous fluid specimen collection kit

Syringe (1 mL)

Ocular (vitreous) specimen surgeon instructions

To avoid unnecessary aliquoting/transferring of sample to minimize volume loss, low-volume samples ocular specimens can be left in a properly packaged syringe.

• Remove all sharps
• Place a screw-on cap at end of syringe and secure cap by wrapping with Parafilm
• Leave an airspace in the syringe to accommodate expansion upon freezing
• Stabilize the plunger by wrapping with Parafilm (no adhesive tape)
  • Do not place pressure on the plunger
• Place the parafilm secured syringe in a sealable specimen bag
• Freeze samples for PCR testing within two hours of collection

Syringe (1mL)

Syringe - ocular fluid (1 mL)

• Needle removed
• Securely capped to prevent inadvertent plunging during transport and resulting loss of specimen

For specimens submitted by Eye Surgeons only:

• U of Washington request form
  • The following items are required:
    • Patient name
    • Patient DOB
    • Ordering physician
    • Ordering physician phone number
    • Specimen source
    • Date and time collected
    • ICD/Diagnosis

Frozen (preferred)

Ambient – 2 hours

Refrigerated - 8 hours

• Diluted sample

DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing

See report