Ophthalmic surgical devices, contact lens solutions, and diagnostic equipment contacting eyes demand rigorous safety assessment - the eye's exquisite sensitivity means even mild irritants cause severe discomfort, vision impairment, or permanent damage. Ocular irritation testing using the validated Draize rabbit eye test provides critical safety assessment for devices with potential eye contact through controlled application with systematic scoring. The protocol involves precise application techniques specific to test material form - liquids, solids, or aerosols - with standardized scoring capturing immediate and delayed responses including conjunctival redness, chemosis, corneal opacity, and iris inflammation. Essential device categories include ophthalmic surgical devices contacting ocular tissues during procedures, contact lens care products applied directly to lenses worn on cornea, diagnostic equipment like tonometers touching eyes during examination, and devices used near eyes during medical or cosmetic procedures. Standardized Draize scoring enables classification from non-irritant through severe irritant categories with regulatory acceptance worldwide, while results support device labeling and patient warnings about eye contact risks. The 72-hour observation period captures delayed responses that immediate assessment misses, revealing cumulative damage or inflammatory cascades developing after initial exposure. For ophthalmic devices, the testing validates materials won't cause corneal damage, lens opacification, or inflammatory responses compromising vision. Contact lens solutions require rigorous testing ensuring cleaning and disinfection agents don't irritate eyes even with daily use. The rabbit model provides conservative assessment as rabbit eyes generally prove more sensitive than human eyes, providing safety margins protecting patients from unexpected ocular toxicity.