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Ophthalmic Pathology

Dr. Seymour Brownstein

Ophthalmic pathology provides the basis of our understanding of how disease can alter the function of the eye. In many cases, tissue samples studied under the microscope provide important information for conditions that elude simple diagnosis.

The ophthalmic pathologist can be faced with extremely difficult situations where it is not clear, even with the most sophisticated techniques, whether a lesion is benign or cancerous. Dr. Brownstein processes over 150 specimens per year.

The Ottawa Registry of Ophthalmic Pathology was started at The Ottawa Hospital, in 1971. The Registry receives ocular specimens from the hospitals associated with the University of Ottawa, as well as from many Ottawa regional hospitals and medical institutions across Canada and occasionally internationally.

Ophthalmic pathology is an integral part of the Ophthalmology Residency training program. Residents receive about 12 hours of didactic lectures augmented by rounds.

At present, the ophthalmic pathology unit has more than 20 ongoing research projects, including collaborative studies with faculty members from various departments predominantly at the University of Ottawa.

Areas of research include ocular neoplasia, inflammation and infections, degenerations and vascular disorders, infiltrations, congenital and hereditary anomalies, glaucoma and trauma. Research projects undertaken by other subspecialists at the Eye Institute rely heavily on the ocular pathology unit.

Dr. Seymour Brownstein, a world authority in ocular pathology, has developed a state-of-the art ocular pathology laboratory. He has authored or co-authored more than 200 publications and over 600 presentations throughout the world.