Smear and imprint technique in malignant melanoma of the eye

Cell smears and imprints of malignant uveal melanomas give additional information about cell morphology as compared to routine histology and electron microscopy. They also allow histochemical procedures without the need to cut the specimens. Moreover, they are economical, and rapid to perform. Differentiation between melanoma cells, white blood cells and endothelial cells is made possible by using antibodies to each cell type, and such preparations are especially suitable for immunohistochemical studies, since tissue processing is avoided. In addition to the study of melanoma cells, this method should merit more attention in ophthalmic pathology than it hitherto has received.