Originally published October 4 2005
Photosensitivity is a serious health concern for children and epileptics
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Rapid light movements associated with video games, television and other media have been known to induce seizures in epileptics and young viewers, so public health officials are taking steps to provide parental recommendations regarding the condition of photosensitivity on packaging and in between televised programming.
It's not very well-known, but watching TV, playing video games or surfing the Internet can cause scary seizures.
Flashing images, such as gun blasts in a video game or quick cuts in a TV commercial, can trigger seizures in a small percentage of viewers.
Young people and epileptics are the most susceptible.
The cartoon show "Pokemon" once triggered seizures in about 500 Japanese children.
The condition, called photosensitivity, is a "significant public health problem," the Epilepsy Foundation says.
In an attempt to reduce seizure risks, the foundation is issuing new recommendations to families, broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers.
The advice is based on guidelines in Japan and the United Kingdom.
# Sit in a well-lit room as far from the screen as possible.
VIDEO GAMES # Sit at least two feet from the screen in well-lit room.
But do not close and open eyes while looking at the screen.
# Cover one eye while playing with alternating eyes.
# Turn off game if strange feelings, body jerks develop.
Photosensitivity seizures do not cause epilepsy or leave any lasting harm.
But they can be dangerous if a person blacks out and hits a hard object such as the edge of an end table.
The Epilepsy Foundation estimates that each year, 1 in 91,000 people in the U.S. have photosensitivity seizures.
Disco strobe lights and flashing fire alarm lights can trigger seizures.
So can natural light, such as sunlight shimmering on a lake.
About 500 Japanese children suffered seizures after watching a scene featuring flashing bursts of blue, red and white.
The scene has since been edited out of the episode.
If followed, the guidelines could reduce the risk of triggering seizures, at least on TV and computer screens.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml