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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / April 2006Study Reports Computer Monitors Do Not Trigger Photosensitive Seizures
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/epilepsyusa/german20060310.cfm "According to Ulrich Specht, M.D., of the Bethel Epilepsy Centre in Bielefeld, Germany, patients with epilepsy – even photosensitive patients – can use computer monitors without fear of having a seizure. The results of his study, which were presented recently at the 59 th annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Washington, D.C., report modern computer monitors have high refresh frequencies, of at least 75 Hz or more, and photosensitive patients "may not necessarily be at increased risk of seizures at such a setting." FYI Julie, Volunteer Webmaster Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho http://www.epilepsyidaho.org My sixteen year old daughter had been diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy. Typically her seizures are eye fluttering, and blinking in sunlight. However, both of her tonic-clonic seizures were experienced while working on a CRT computer monitors. FYI Bill Some of mine were caused by being over-tired when I was having them. Also if she's using a CRT in reduced room light or almost dark room the extremes in colour could contribute too. Four years ago I had seen a 'Screenguard' advertised that was supposed to reduce screen glare or flicker, and it could be moved from screen to screen if she needed it at school or elsewhere. I had thought that most screens now had a high enough Refresh rate, that most of the problems had been solved from mid 1990s days. (I use a liquid crystal screen, so the flicker doesn't apply to this type of screen. ) G./ > My sixteen year old daughter had been diagnosed with photosensitive > epilepsy. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > FYI > Bill Hi Bill, I have had seizures triggered by photosensitivity, but in my case the computer has not caused a problem. I was wondering if the newer monitors are what this study is referring to. It said modern computer monitors have high refresh frequencies, of at least 75 Hz or more. Also there may be other factors to consider concerning your daughter's tonic-clonic seizures. I know the first really bad tonic clonic I had, when I was finally diagnosed at 18, happened while playing a board game (you know the old fashioned way to play games, long before everyone had a computer). Even though I didn't feel well, I was obviously having an aura, I continued to play. We need to make sure we listen to our bodies, get enough rest and eat right and exercise. Take care, Julie I think some of the newer Computer games might have flashes and action that, if they were playing in a darkened or poorly lit room, might trigger them if they were already prone to photosensitive reactions. As Julie listed above most of the CRTs in North America operate at 75 Hz or higher. I had seen Screen-guards for sale when I was still sensitive but could find no one (here) who thought they were useful or had them. At that time some of the posters recommended a Liquid Crystal LCD Screen (that I have on this new computer). If they determine that it's still being triggered by the screen vs. being over-tired, room darker, etc., they could replace the screen with an LCD one for under $100.? (*Don't buy one from Dell or Other stores **less than *15 inch* diagonal. Smaller would be too awkward to use-- I wish I'd paid the extra $50? to get a 17 inch or even larger at the time. ) (If you didn't see a Post I did about *2 days ago that lists about 7 Websites, including Julie's Idaho site :-< Email me or post here and I'll send it on or put it back here again. There's lots of reading you can do on various things seizurely. ...) G./ Hey, I caught this a few days ago and wanted to post a reply but the log-in wasn't in operation. Ok, first off let me say that out of approximately 50 million people in the entire world who has epilepsy that study was done on only 12 patients. And out of those 12 patients it makes me wonder if any of those people had photosensitive seizures. Next pertains to those three separate stages. The first being a resting period; second involving reading and editing text at a personal computer; and third, reading and editing similar text printed on white paper. So, out of those three separate stages it looks to me that those 12 patients were only looking at a white screen with no animation or flashing colors on the screen itself, and later on with a white sheet of paper. What's the chance of a person having their seizures triggered just by looking at a white piece of paper? Now here's something for you. The article about that study report is posted on the epilepsyfoundation.org web site, however, on another specific web link, which is listed under the 'Seizure Triggers' is some information pertaining to 'Photosensitivity and Seizures'. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Medical/seizures/precipitants/phot osensitivity/photosensitivity.cfm And there are other multiple web sites that explain the details between patients who have photosensitive seizures. So in my opinion, the one individual who performed that study in the first place may need to go back to medical school to learn more details about people with epilepsy and/or need to be investigated to see if he still meets the qualifications in order to be a doctor. Like duh....Dr. Specht...'Here's your stupid sign!' I see you point, purple-cow, 12 patients does seem like a small number. To answer your question about about if these patients had photosensitive seizures, the way I read it, the answer is yes. It does say that they studied 12 patients who underwent EEG tests and demonstrated epileptiform discharges provoked by intermittent photic stimulation, that is, photosensitive seizures. But you make a good point, they were not testing for animation. I think the test was more focused on the normal office work place problems of people editing text on a computer screen. That is my take, anyway. Take care, Julie > Hey, I caught this a few days ago and wanted to post a reply but the log-in > wasn't in operation. [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > need to be investigated to see if he still meets the qualifications in > order to be a doctor. Like duh....Dr. Specht...'Here's your stupid sign!' |
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