Why ocular corrosion and irritation tests are necessary?
The ocular corrosion and irritation test is essential for assessing the potential health hazards of exposure to chemicals, including liquids, solids, and aerosols, when they come into contact with the eye. Here's why it's necessary:
- Safety Evaluation: The test provides critical information about the substance's impact on the eye.
- Product Development: For chemical characterization, industrial hygiene, and product safety standards, understanding ocular irritation potential is crucial. It guides product development and ensures safety.
- Regulatory Compliance: The test aligns with regulatory requirements. It determines whether a substance requires classification for eye damage or irritation. It's a valuable step in safety assessment.
What are the in vitro models of ocular corrosion and irritation tests?
In vitro models play a crucial role in assessing ocular irritation potential without relying on animal testing. Here are some widely recognized methods:
- SkinEthic RhCE Test (OECD 492B): This method uses reconstructed human epidermis (RhCE) to mimic the corneal epithelium.
- EpiOcular Eye Irritation Test (OECD 492): Another RhCE-based test, EpiOcular identifies chemicals that don't require classification.
- Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Assay (BCOP) (OECD 437): BCOP assesses eye irritation potential using living corneal tissue obtained from abattoirs
- Isolated Chicken Eye Test (ICE) (OECD 438): ICE is an alternative method that evaluates ocular irritation potential.