Strobe Light & Epilepsy

Seizures brought on by flashing lights, changing light patterns and sharp contrasts in color are known as photosensitive epilepsy. Strobe lights, televisions, computer screens and even sunlight coming through a venetian blind can all cause a seizure in someone who is photosensitive.

Age

• Photosensitive epilepsy is far more common in children and teenagers. Seizures brought on by strobe and other flashing lights are rare for people in their 20s and beyond.

Not an Indicator

• An individual who has a seizure because of a strobe light does not necessarily have any type of epilepsy other than photosensitive epilepsy. A seizure brought on by a flashing light does not necessary indicate that a person should expect to have random seizures in the future, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.

Frequency

• The Epilepsy Foundation reports seizures usually are caused by strobe and other lights that flash between five and 30 times per second. Different people, however, are affected by different flashing frequencies.

Cause

• The exact cause of photosensitive epilepsy is not known. It is believed that strobe lights and other flashing lights may overstimulate the primary visual cortex. The overstimulated cortex starts firing neurons very quickly and ultimately overwhelms the entire brain until it too starts firing neurons.

Relief

• If someone who is known to have photosensitive epilepsy is exposed to a strobe light, her best course of action is to cover one eye and turn away from the strobe light. The Epilepsy Foundation states that covering or closing both eyes will not prevent a seizure.