The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
Interviewer: Let’s go to the horizontal gaze, what does that entail?
Michael Kramer: Basically a pen or similar object is held a certain distance from an individual’s eyes and the individual is asked to keep his head still and to follow the pen with his or her eyes. The pen is moved from side-to-side to measure peripheral vision. Tests have shown that people under the influence, as their eyes move to follow the pen to the right or left will exhibit a fluttering.
That’s what known as Nystagmus and if that’s observed when the pen is moved approximately 45 degrees to the right or left that supposedly indicates that the person is under the influence.
Interviewer: Is that one administered when the individual is standing or sitting down?
Michael Kramer: Standing usually on the side of the road. It’s obvious that many things can cause the fluttering effect that having nothing to do with alcohol consumption. Lights are flashing, cars are speeding by, an individual can be distracted and there are that can cause Nystagmus to occur.
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