Accident; analysis and prevention
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Slowed eyelid closure coupled with increased duration and frequency of closure is associated with drowsiness. This study assessed the utility of two devices for automated measurement of slow eyelid closure in a standard poor performance condition (alcohol) and following 12-h sleep deprivation. Twenty-two healthy participants (mean age=20.8 (SD 1.9) years) with no history of sleep disorders participated in the study. ⋯ The duration of eyelid closure predicted frequent lapses following sleep deprivation (which were equivalent to the average lapses at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% - area under curve for ROC curve 0.87, p<0.01). The duration of time with slow eyelid closure, assessed by the automated devices, increased following sleep deprivation and was associated with deterioration in psychomotor performance and subjective sleepiness. Comprehensive algorithms inclusive of ocular parameters may be a better indicator of performance impairment following sleep loss.