The University of Tennessee is considering eye...

The University of Tennessee is considering eye tests as an alternative means of checking athletes for drugs because of the cost and controversy of random drug testing, officials said.

Assistant trainer Mike Rollo said university consultants are scheduled to meet with Tennessee staff and physicians to demonstrate how a pupilometer test may fit in with the drug-testing program.

Tennessee currently uses urinalysis to test for drug use.

The pupilometer test uses a small flashlight to chart the response of athletes’ eyes to light. It can indicate whether drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, PCP and heroin have been used in the past three to four days.

The tests are currently used by the California Highway Patrol and are under review at other universities looking for ways to cut costs in drug-testing programs that annually cost between $50,000 and $100,000.