Conventional Test Method:

Acute Eye Irritation/Corrosion (Draize rabbit eye irritation test) (OECD TG 405)

Alternative Test Method:

Name & Description:

Cytosensor Microphysiometer (CM) modified

The CM test method is a cytotoxicity and cell-function based in vitro assay that is performed on a sub-confluent monolayer of adherent mouse L929 fibroblasts cultured on a transwell polycarbonate insert with a porous membrane, which functions as an electrode, and a light-addressable potentiometric sensor detecting changes in pH (acidity)

Validation Status:

EU: Endorsed as valid by ESAC (2009)

US: can be used as a screening test to identify some types of substances that may cause permanent or severe eye injuries (2010).

Regulatory Status:

OECD: Draft new TG (2011)

Effect or Potential Effect on Animal Use:

Reduction 
(Substances identified as irritants by test will not progress to animal testing)

References:

• ECVAM (2009) Statement on the scientific validity of cytootoxicity/cell-function based in vitro assays for eye irritation testing.
• ICCVAM (2010) Test Method Evaluation Report: Current Validation Status of In Vitro Test Methods Proposed for Identifying Eye Injury Hazard Potential of Chemicals and Products.
• OECD (2011) Draft TG on the Cytosensor Microphysiometer Test Method: An In Vitro Method for Identifying Chemicals Not Classified as Irritant, as well as Ocular Corrosives and Severe Irritant Chemicals, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4 Health Effects.

Information Last Reviewed:

May 2012