Specimen Requirements

Specimen source (right or left eye) is required.

Specimen must arrive as soon as possible after collection.

Specimen Type: Swab (Collect First if appropriate)

Container/Tube: Sterile culture swab

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Take swabs for culture before application of topical anesthetics because topical anesthetics possess antimicrobial activity. Take corneal scrapings after application of anesthetics.

2. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.
3. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline.
4. Collect specimen by swabbing.
5. Moisten sterile swab with sterile saline.

6. Pass moistened swab 2 times over lower conjunctiva.
7. Avoid eyelid border and lashes. (Culture these separately in a similar fashion, if indicated.)

8. Insert swab into tube of Amies media without charcoal.

9. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, type of specimen, and as right or left eye.

10. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient (room) temperature only. Do not refrigerate.

Specimen Type: Scrapings

Collection Container/Tube: Platinum spatula

Submission Container/Tube: Culture media plate

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Scraping should be done by an ophthalmologist.
2. Use local anesthetic and platinum spatula.
3. Rub spatula with scrapings gently over small area on medium.
4. If too dry, use very small amount of sterile water.

5. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, type of specimen, and as right or left eye.

6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient (room) temperature only. Do not refrigerate.