Organotypic models for the assessment/prediction of ocular irritation

By Chamberlain, M. - Gad, S.C. - Gautheron, P. - Prinsen, M.K.

The brief of the Organotypic Models Working Group was to review data submitted to the Interagency Regulatory Alternatives Group on the use of isolated eyes and components of the eye used to predict eye irritation potential. Data submissions were received on four test systems: the isolated rabbit eye (one submission), the isolated chicken eye (one submission), the bovine cornea (eight submissions) and the cultured bovine lens (one submission). On the basis of the data submitted on each test it was concluded that the isolated rabbit eye test as performed was capable of screening for severe eye irritants, but overall was of no practical value for determining irritation potential across the full range; that the isolated chicken eye test as performed showed promise as a method of predicting eye irritation potential, but the database was too small and needed expanding; that the bovine corneal opacity test had an extensive database and overall performed reasonably at screening out severe irritants and performed well for assigning relative potencies; and that the bovine lens test should be researched further to demonstrate its utility. The overall conclusion drawn was that the isolated eye tests and the bovine corneal opacity test can be used now to screen for severely irritating materials. However, it would be unwise to rely solely on these organotypic methods to provide evidence of lack of eye irritation hazard.