A 25-year-old woman in Germany has been diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy, triggered by her hobby of solving Sudoku puzzles.

The rare condition, which affects only about 3 percent of people with epilepsy, means that the patient suffers epileptic seizures in response to rapidly changing visual patterns, such as flickering lights or flashing images. The woman’s case note, published in the medical journal “Seizure” highlights the importance of seeking medical advice in cases of unusual seizures.

What is Photosensitive Epilepsy?

Photosensitive epilepsy is a form of epilepsy (a chronic neurological disorder) where the patient has seizures triggered by certain visual stimuli (flash gun lights, strobe lights, flickering lights, video games, and strong contrasts etc.).

Patients usually have seizures when they experience a patterned visual stimulus. Visual stimuli with high contrast or repetitive patterns may create a flicker that triggers seizures. Photosensitive epilepsy is a rare type of epilepsy that affects only about 3% of epilepsy patients.

The majority of patients with photosensitive epilepsy do not have a family history of epilepsy.

How Does Photosensitive Epilepsy Occur?

Photosensitive epilepsy is caused by the abnormal firing of neurons in the brain’s cortex. The brain normally runs on electrical current, and epilepsy arises when too many neurons fire at once, causing abnormal movements or feelings.

In photosensitive epilepsy, a rapidly changing pattern of visual stimulus can cause abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This causes the person to have a seizure.

What are the Symptoms of Photosensitive Epilepsy?

Photosensitive epileptic seizures can present as a range of symptoms. During a seizure, the patient may experience one or more of the following:.

Convulsions
Chewing movements
Staring spells
Confusion
Loss of consciousness
Jerking movements of arms and legs

What are the Causes of Photosensitive Epilepsy?

Photosensitive epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity of the brain’s neurons. However, not everyone with abnormal neuron activity develops photosensitive epilepsy. The triggers of this type of epilepsy are thought to include:.

Flashing or flickering lights
Intense, contrasting patterns (e.g. black and white checkerboards)
Video games
Watching television
Multicolored light shows
Playing video games with a large screen

How is Photosensitive Epilepsy Diagnosed?

Photosensitive epilepsy is typically diagnosed after a person experiences a seizure during exposure to a visual trigger.

If this occurs, doctors will perform a thorough physical examination and medical history to determine the type and frequency of seizures. The doctor may also order an EEG (electroencephalogram) to record the electrical activity of the brain, which may reveal abnormal activity associated with photosensitive epilepsy.

How is Photosensitive Epilepsy Treated?

Although there is no cure for photosensitive epilepsy, the condition can be managed with medications. Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.

Patients with epilepsy are also advised to avoid triggers such as flash photography, strobe lights, and video games. In severe cases of photosensitive epilepsy, doctors may recommend wearing special glasses that reduce the intensity of the visual stimulus and lower the risk of seizures.

The Importance of Seeking Medical Advice

If you experience unusual symptoms, such as seizures triggered by visual stimuli, it is important to seek medical advice.

The case of the 25-year-old woman in Germany highlights how photosensitive epilepsy can be triggered by seemingly harmless activities, like solving Sudoku puzzles. Without seeking medical advice, her seizures could have gone undiagnosed and untreated, leading to further complications and possible long-term damage.

Conclusion

Photosensitive epilepsy is a rare form of epilepsy that affects only about 3% of people with epilepsy. The condition is triggered by certain visual stimuli, such as flickering lights or contrasting patterns.

Although there is no cure for the condition, it can be managed with medications and by avoiding triggers. It is important to seek medical advice if you experience unusual symptoms, such as seizures triggered by visual stimuli, to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.