ABSTRACT
Despite the occurrence of many events and observations over a period of decades concerning the influence of drugs, products, raw materials, or devices upon the eye, the science of ocular toxicology, as a recognizably separate discipline from other subspecialties, is of relatively recent origin. The majority of incidents of ocular tox icology, of either single drug effects or of drug interactions, are case reports where the use or addition of a systemic or topical medication, or exposure to certain chem icals, has led to an unexpected or unwanted reaction or adverse side effect. Ideally,
any drug, agent, or device designated and specifically targeted for ocular use as a therapeutic or corrective measure should only initiate one event, namely, that which is intended. This ideal situation is rarely, if ever, achieved. Similarly, the inadver tent exposure of the eye to agents not designed for ocular use can cause unwanted effects.
