Mechanisms of chemically-induced ocular injury and recovery: Current understanding and knowledge gaps

WS Stokes¹, NY Choksi², DG Allen², JF Truax², RR Tice², C Eskes³, M Wind⁴, LM Schechtman⁵, K Hamernik⁶

1. NICEATM/NIEHS, RTP, NC, USA
2. ILS Inc., RTP, NC, USA
3. ECVAM, USA
4. U.S. CPSC, USA
5. U.S. FDA National Center for Toxicological Research, USA
4. U.S. EPA, USA

A two-day Scientific Symposium on Mechanisms of Chemically-Induced Ocular Injury and Recovery was held May 11-12, 2005 in the USA. The symposium was organized and sponsored by NICEATM, ICCVAM and ECVAM, with additional support from COLIPA. A major goal of the symposium was to identify research needed to advance the development of test systems necessary to meet regulatory testing requirements that provide for human health protection while reducing, refining (less pain and distress), and/or replacing the use of animals. Three consecutive talks will summarize the symposium discussions. After a brief overview of the symposium, this talk will focus on the part of the meeting dealing with issues related to the present understanding of currently known mechanisms and modes of action of chemical-related ocular injury, persistence and recovery. Areas pertinent to this theme included injury type, ocular cellular and tissue responses to chemical injury in humans and animals, and the role of histopathology and depth of injury in evaluating ocular injury onset, extent, severity, and recovery potential. A summary of expert speaker and panel discussions will be presented on these topics and additional aspects, such as, the relevance of species, dose, and toxicokinetics to a better understanding of chemical-induced ocular injury-related mechanism and response, and, a possible future role for toxicogenomics in elucidating processes involved in the characterization of ocular injury and sequelae. Knowledge gaps and areas identified for further investigation at the symposium will be highlighted. (ILS staff supported by NIEHS contract N01-ES 35504).

Date: Monday, August 22, 2005, 11.30-13.30 h, ECC Hall D

5.11 Workshop: Mechanisms of Chemically-induced Ocular Injury and Recovery: Current Understanding and Research Needs.