Computerization of Ocular and Cutaneous Toxicological Data

Abstract

Methods available for the computerization of research data depend heavily on professional programming using main frame systems.1,2 Systems described for microcomputers depend on intensive programming languages such as PASCAL3 or BASIC4 for their system needs. This paper describes application of an “off-the-shelf” software package for the management of ocular and cutaneous toxicology data on consumer products.Before a consumer product is available commercially, a solid history of chemical, microbiological, physical, and toxicological data has been generated. These data are a valuable product substantiation tool and must, therefore, be maintained in permanent files as part of a product's history. Over 46 years of support data have been generated in our department. The task of manually accessing the information was formidable and the size of the system itself precluded detailed data analysis or manipulation. Computerization of the data presented the best way to continue using the data and expand its application.