Proposed protocols for the determination of potential ocular effects of organophosphorus pesticides.

The US Environmental Protection Agency now requires ocular toxicity testing to support the registration of organophosphorus pesticides. As a first step toward guideline development for the conduct of these studies, preliminary protocols for ocular toxicity testing in the non-rodent and rodent are being proposed by the Office of Pesticide Programs. Proposed protocol parameters include determination of animal health status, measurement of plasma, erythrocyte and retinal cholinesterase activities, ocular assessment by routine ophthalmological examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy, fundic observations, tonometry, electroretinography and determination of objective refractivity, pupillary response and tracking. Gross and detailed histopathological examinations of ocular system components would also be conducted. Associated questions and concerns with regard to ocular toxicity testing are presented. The Agency plans to hold a workshop in the near future to discuss issues related to protocol refinement and guideline development.