Evaluation of an in vitro cell toxicity test using rabbit corneal cells to predict the eye irritation potential of surfactants.

Surfactants reported to be severely, moderately or non-irritating to the eyes of albino rabbits were tested for cell toxicity in vitro using an established line of rabbit corneal cells. Test substances at different concentrations were added to culture dishes containing the rabbit corneal cells or were administered at a dose of 0.01 ml directly to the corneal surface of albino rabbits. A significant rank correlation (r = 0.90, P less than 0.01) was seen between the relative toxicity produced in vitro and the relative eye irritation produced in the modified Draize test. The in vitro method offers a means for screening potentially irritating chemicals without using live animals and may be useful in the selection of product formulations for in vivo testing.