Specimen Requirements

• Specimen Type: Conjunctiva
• Container/Tube (Preferred): Swab
• Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
• Specimen Stability: 48 hours
• Collection Instructions:

1. Sample both eyes using separate swabs by rolling over each conjunctiva
2. Inoculate media at time of collection or submit swabs to Laboratory

• Specimen Type: Corneal scraping
• Container/Tube (Preferred): Platinum spatula
• Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
• Specimen Stability: 48 hours
• Collection Instructions:

1. After instilling anesthetic in eye, an ophthalmologist should obtain scrapings of the cornea, ulcers or lesions, with a heat-sterilized, platinum spatula.
2. Inoculate scraping directly to media plates, then smear on 2 glass slides. Transport immediately to Laboratory.