METHOD TO PROTECT RABBIT EYES AND REDUCE POTENTIAL STRESS FROM EYE IRRITATION OR INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO VAPORS AND PARTICULATESIN INHALATION STUDIES

Many pharmaceuticals are administered to children and adults as sprays provided in nebulizers or metered-dose inhalers. Stress associated wi th possible eye irritation and injury attributable to exposure to vapo rs and particulates during the required safety testing procedures of s uch medicines is a potential confounding factor in these studies. Redu cing stress and the potential changes associated with stress is partic ularly important in safety studies involving pregnant animals because maternal stress has been known to be associated with adverse outcomes for the offspring. Training and acclimating rabbits to wearing modifie d pediatric swim goggles during exposure to vapors and aerosol particl es provides a simple, inexpensive method to reduce or eliminate potent ial stress from eye irritation.