Photosensitive Epilepsy What is epilepsy Chronic Neurological Disorder

Photosensitive Epilepsy

What is epilepsy? • Chronic Neurological Disorder • Recurring unprovoked seizures – Seizures are set off by discharges of electrical energy in the brain • How many people are affected by epilepsy? • Common in children and 65+ • There are over 40 types of epilepsy

Photosensitive Epilepsy • Form of reflex epilepsy • Seizures are triggered by visual stimuli. – Video Games – Television – Fluorescent Lights – Photographs • Triggers vary from person to person • Common in children and people 65+ • About 2. 5 million people worldwide have PSE

Video Games • Fast moving images can cause seizures • Patterns & color combinations can also trigger Photosensitive Epilepsy • Halo 3 / Grand Theft Auto / Mario Brothers • Back to PSE

Television • • Fast moving pictures can trigger PSE Patters / Colors also trigger seizures Pokémon Back to PSE

Fluorescent Lights • Vibrations and flickering can trigger PSE • The light given off can also trigger PSE • Back to PSE

Photography • Images containing Patterns, Contrasted Colors, Flashing Colors can all trigger PSE. • Back to PSE

Treatment for PSE • There is no cure for photosensitive epilepsy • Medicine available to reduce sensitivity – Sodium Valproate • A 12 -year-old and Super Mario Brothers • Physical Precautions to Reduce Epilepsy

Social Repercussions of PSE • Laws have been set in place to warn people about the possible effects of their products • Music, Movie, Video Game, and TV industries

Works Cited http: //www. epilepsy. org. uk/info/photo. html http: //www. epilepsysociety. org. uk/Homepage http: //www. epilepsyfoundation. org/about/photosensitivity/ http: //www. neurologyindia. com/temp/ni 494411 -6792655_185206. pdf http: //www. webaim. org/techniques/images/seizures. php http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Photosensitive_epilepsy Pictures courtesy of http: //images. google. com/