Visual Stimuli in Daily Life

Abstract

Summary:People of all ages, but especially children and adolescents, are increasingly exposed to visual stimuli. Typical environmental stimuli that can trigger epileptic seizures in susceptible persons are televisions (TVs), computers, videogames (VGs), discothèque lights, venetian blinds, striped walls, rolling stairs (escalators), striped clothing, and sunlight reflected from snow or the sea or interrupted by trees during a ride in a car or train. Less common stimuli are rotating helicopter blades, disfunctioning fluorescent lighting, welding lights, etc. New potentially provocative devices turn up now and then unexpectedly. During the last decades especially, displays have become increasingly dominant in many of our daily-life activities. We therefore focus mainly on the characteristics of artificial light and on current and future developments in video displays and videogames. Because VG playing has been shown also to have positive effects, a rating system might be developed for provocativeness to inform consumers about the content. It is important that patients with epilepsy be informed adequately about their possible visual sensitivity.

Human photosensitivity: from pathophysiology to treatment

“…Other and less common visual stimuli are rotating helicopter blades, disfunctioning fluorescent lighting, welding lights, etc. (Zifkin and Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité, 2000; Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité et al. , 2004).…”

“…Sunlight and video screens, including televisions, video games, and computer displays, are the commonest environmental triggers of seizures in daily life of susceptible people (Harding, 1994; Takahashi et al. , 2001a,b; Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité et al. , 2004).…”

“…, 2004). New potentially provocative devices turn up now and then unexpectedly (Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité et al. , 2004).…”

“…, 2001). VG–induced seizures can reveal photosensitivity, which is often most prevalent in the age classes that are most likely to use VGs: in effect about 80% of subjects aged 7–19 years spend ≥1 h/day playing VGs (Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité et al. , 2004).…”

“…, 2004). This habit usually starts around the age of 7 years, and boys spend more time playing than girls (Tazawa and Okada, 2001; Kasteleijn‐Nolst Trenité et al. , 2004).…”