ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TO TEST NEW 'PUPILOMETER'

The Illinois State Police will conduct an 18-month campaign to test the pupillometer as a tool to detect and measure motorist fatigue or impairment by drugs and alcohol.

Under provision of Senate Bill 1626, the state police will be authorized to use the pupillometers over the next 18 months on consenting motorists.

The cost of the pupillometers will be about $112,000 for 15 of the devices.

Pupillometers are instruments currently used by many health care professionals to test pupil dilation and the eye's reaction to light. The devices, which resemble binoculars, measure the width and diameter of the pupil and its reaction time to a flashing light.

The devices will be used to detect irregularities in the eye brought on by fatigue, alcohol or drugs only if the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that person is operating a vehicle while impaired.

Officers will prepare notes on the use of the pupillometers and after 18 months will file a report detailing the results of the project .

The new legislation provides that an Illinois State Police officer may request that the operator of motor vehicle have his or her eyes tested with a pupillometer device. But the officers requesting the test should have the device readily available to avoid undue delays.

The pupillometer was developed originally for drug research and treatment. The device can be used to diagnose a drug problem. It accurately measures the pupil diameter of both eyes at the same time under controlled conditions.

The device has become an important tool in the field if diabetes, glaucoma, epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

It comes in a low-cost, compact, portable form and is simple to use.

The pupillometer is also used in preoperative evaluation of patients for laser vision correction and is used by LASIK surgeons throughout the world.