Ophthalmology Services

Ophthalmology Services

Ocular Toxicology/Toxicokinetics

Using the most advanced ocular pharmacodynamics (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicology evaluation techniques, the staff working in our dedicated laboratory help to advance drug development for a wide range of ophthalmic indications.

Our ophthalmologist-led services include:

• Comparative ophthalmologic examination across a variety of ocular studies, including eye irritation, new ocular drug toxicity and toxicokinetic (TK), PK and PD
• Single- and repeat-dose ocular toxicology studies, conducted across a variety of species and via various dosage routes including systemic, topical, subconjunctival, intracameral, intravitreal, sub-retinal, suprachoroidal and retrobalbar

Comparative Ophthalmology

For general toxicity studies, scientists on the comparative ophthalmology research team study the opthalmological toxicity of rodents, rabbits, canines, Non-human Primates (NHPs) and humans using slit-lamp and indirect ophthalmoscopy to examine the anterior and posterior segments of the eye.

Ocular Pharmacokinetics (PK)

Using state-of-the-art evaluation techniques, ocular PK studies assess tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics caused by ocular or systemic administration, and can be conducted across a variety of species, tissues and liquids.

 Eye Tissue Dissection

• Conjunctivae
• Cornea
• Iris/ciliary body
• Lens
• Retina/choroid
• Sclera
• Optic nerve

Liquid Sampling

• Tear
• Aqueous humor
• Vitreous humor
• Blood, plasma and serum

Evaluation Method

• LC-MS/MS
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• Immunohistochemistry

Ocular Pharmacodynamics (PD)

Ocular PD studies assess the efficacy of new ocular drugs via more than 30 animal disease models, with additional services available to support cell- and gene-therapy drug development. While new models can be developed to meet your specific needs, following are the main animal models available in-house:

• Dry eye induced by benzalkonium instillation or by scopolamine injection
• Allergic conjunctivitis induced by histamine instillation
• Cataract induced by sodium selenite injection
• Corneal neovascularization (CorNV) induced by stitching or by NaOH burn
• Neurotrophic Keratitis (NK) induced by ciliary nerve damage
• Acute glaucoma induced by intracameral injection of VISCOAT®
• Chronic glaucoma induced by intracameral injection of magnetic microspheres
• Chronic glaucoma induced by episcleral vein laser photocoagulation
• Retinal ischemia reperfusion induced by elevating intraocular pressure
• Optic nerve injury induced by clamping or partial transection
• Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) induced by laser photocoagulation
• Retinal vascular leakage induced by intravitreal VEGF or CA-I injection
• Central vein occlusion induced by laser photocoagulation
• Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in mice
• Retinopathy induced by lighting
• Retinopathy induced by sodium iodate in rats, rabbits and NHPs.
• Streptozotocin induced diabetic retinopathy in rats
• Uveitis in rats