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It is used for testing new medicines and other compounds for possible irritant effects on the eyes. It forewarns us of the dangers to our eyes at home or work.
The test involves applying a small amount of a substance to the eye of the rabbit to test for inflammation. Its effect is then carefully watched. Testing stops immediately if a reaction is seen.
Only relatively mild substances are subject to the Draize test. Products which have been shown to be corrosive to the skin are never tested on rabbits' eyes.
While scientists have managed to modify this rarely used test, as yet no reliable alternative has been found.
At that time many pilots and aircrew were dying from burns to as little as 5 per cent of their body surface. As a direct result of this research, people with burns to as much as two-thirds of their body can now be successfully treated and return to a normal life.
This sort of research would obviously be unacceptable today. But it is worth reflecting on the pressures of a World War and the human lives which were saved then and continue to be saved now as a result.