[Histological workup of enucleated eyes]

The appraisal of enucleated eyes presents a particular challenge to pathologists. In German-speaking countries, this task has mostly been in the hands of ophthalmologists. It requires particular ophthalmologic knowledge including nosology, implants, surgical procedures, and nomenclature. This CME article teaches the basics needed for pathologic appraisal of enucleated eyes. The first part focusses on the macroscopic evaluation and describes the exterior and interior of the eye. Competent interpretation of the macroscopic findings is crucial to identify adequate cutting planes for histology. Anatomic landmarks on the globe's exterior and common section planes are described. Diseases that typically lead to enucleation will be explained in detail and illustrated with images. In the second part of this article, a histologic description of eye-specific tissue types is provided.