Photosensitive seizures are caused by exposure to certain visual stimuli and are a result of a rare form of epilepsy. They are triggered by flashing or rapidly moving light patterns and can be avoided by those diagnosed with the condition. Medical attention is required for any form of seizure.
A photosensitive crisis is a seizure that results from exposure to certain visual stimuli such as flashing lights, bright lights, and/or bold or erratic movement patterns. Photosensitive seizures are the result of a rare form of epilepsy called photosensitive epilepsy. Only a very small percentage of the population is known to have this type of photosensitive epilepsy, and most of those diagnosed are teenagers.
A photosensitive seizure often presents in the same way as any other epileptic seizure, but a photosensitive seizure is triggered only by visual stimuli. The exact view that triggers a photosensitive attack varies from person to person. Typically, it is a combination of repeatedly flashing or rapidly moving light patterns such as those produced by strobe lights and emergency vehicles. However, the risk of photosensitive seizures in most affected patients tends to increase in low or low light conditions.
Traditionally, television has been the most common trigger of photosensitive seizures. The most infamous example of television triggering a photosensitive seizure was an episode of the Japanese anime series Pokémon, which aired in 1997 and was banned after a number of Japanese viewers were confirmed to have suffered seizures. Since that episode, awareness of photosensitive seizures has increased, and video games and other forms of recorded visual media carry a photosensitive seizure warning.
Although there is no cure for photosensitive epilepsy, its diagnosis is relatively rare. Those who are diagnosed and are at risk for a photosensitive attack are usually aware of potential triggers and can avoid them. There are also drugs that can reduce the patient’s sensitivity. Many times, a person with photosensitive epilepsy is completely unaware of the condition until a situation triggers a seizure. Although a photosensitive seizure is a rare occurrence and can often be obviously related to the surrounding environment, any form of seizure requires medical attention and diagnosis.
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