Alternative Ocular Irritation Assays
Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability Assay (BCOP)
- Excised bovine corneas model
- Measures two endpoints; 1) changes in opacity, reflecting protein denaturation and corneal injury, and 2) fluorescent dye permeability reflecting damage to corneal epithelium
- Optional histological endpoint is available (H & E staining)
- Measurement of pro-inflammatory mediators in liberated corneal cells (by flow cytometry or ELISA)
HET-CAM - Hen's Egg Test - Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM)
- Fertilized chicken egg model
- INVITTOX PROTOCOL Number 47
Chorioallantoic Membrane Vascular Assay (CAMVA)
- Fertilized chicken egg model
- Measures hemodynamic effects, injury, and anti-angiogenic effects to the membrane microvasculature
- Especially useful for alcohol-containing formulations
Porcine Cornea Reversibility Assay (PorCORA)
- Uses excised porcine cornea normally discarded
- Corneas maintained in culture for up to 21 Days
- Measures "Days to Recover" after exposure to possible Irritants
- Allows discrimination between Severe Irritant and Ocular Corrosive
Replacement Ocular Battery (ROBatt)
- Uses tiered testing strategy of alternative ocular irritation assays (CAMVA, BCOP, PorCORA, PorFocal) to determine regulatory classification of a test material without the use of live animals.
- Currently Under Development
OptiSafe™ Non-Animal Ocular Irritation Test (OptiSafe™)
- An in vitro test method in which a test substance is applied to a semi-permeable membrane. Damage to macromolecules in the membrane is measured to assess the test substance’s potential to cause eye irritation.
- Can be used to determine the irritation potential of cosmetics, creams, and a wide variety of consumer products. Results are presented as GHS, EPA classifications, an ocular irritation score and class.