Vitreusnäyte

Vitreusnäyte is a term used in Finnish medical and forensic contexts to denote a specimen taken from the vitreous humor of the eye. The vitreous humor is the clear, gel-like substance that fills the space between the lens and the retina, making it a valuable source of biological material for various analytical procedures.

Because the vitreous humor is largely isolated from the systemic circulation after death, it preserves cellular and chemical components for longer than many other tissues. In forensic investigations, a vitreusnäyte may be examined for the presence of toxins, drugs, or metabolic metabolites that help determine the cause or manner of death. In clinical medicine, samples of the vitreous humor are sometimes extracted during ocular surgery to diagnose inflammatory or infectious eye conditions, and to analyze the composition of the fluid when conditions such as retinal detachment or macular edema occur.

The collection of a vitreusnäyte is typically performed using a fine needle under sterile conditions, taking care to avoid contamination from the tear film or external environment. The volume of fluid that can safely be removed is limited, so the procedure is carefully monitored to maintain ocular integrity. Once collected, the sample is stored at low temperatures and processed using chromatographic, spectrophotometric, or polymerase chain reaction techniques, depending on the substances of interest.

Research on vitreusnäyte sampling has led to improved protocols for preserving DNA integrity and reducing postmortem changes. The unique properties of the vitreous humor continue to make it an important medium for both forensic pathology and intraocular diagnostics.