Definition:
Photosensitive epilepsy (PSE) affects three to five percent of epileptics. Seizures occur when the affected individual is exposed over a period of time or space to images that have patterns, including flashing lights and regular patterns. Attacks are usually caused by certain visuals, with females more likely to be diagnosed with the condition. Symptoms surface in childhood, peaking at the onset of puberty.
Diagnosis:
PSE usually is identified when the individual experiences seizures due to his exposure to the stimuli. A light test, photo stimulation, confirms the existence of the condition.
Treatment:
Aside from anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate (Epilim), the seizures may be prevented by following these simple steps: watching TV or using computer in well-lit surroundings, avoiding stress, minimizing exposures to the trigger, among other remedies.
Symptoms and Signs:
Images that trigger seizures vary from one person to another, however, there is a common warning of an impending attack. Patients sense an odd sensation before seizures, which is a good sign for them to avoid the stimulus. Attacks may be brief to full tonic-clonic ones.
Causes:
The nature of cyclic images triggers PSE. Common stimuli are flashing lights and rapidly changing images, such as those of emergency vehicles, movies, TV and clubs, stationary or moving stripes or squares. These images usually shifts from dark to bright ones, or vice versa. Patients may be susceptible to certain colors, while the spacing of the images differ from one individual to another. The sensitivity be heightened by sleep deprivation, alcohol consumption and illness.
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