Will 3D Television Trigger Epileptic Seizures?

Will 3D Television Trigger Epileptic Seizures?all other epileptics, such lights are no more capable
Is the 3D effect a myth or a fact?  Theof triggering a seizure than in a non-epileptic
answer is it is both!person.
This article is for sufferers of epilepsy AND alsoA routine part of the EEG test involves exposing
for non epileptics - the subject is important forthe patient to flickering lights in order to attempt
everyone.to induce a seizure, to determine if such lights
The advent of 3D movies such as Avatar andmay be triggering a seizure in the patient, and to
the expected explosion of 3D Television isbe able to read the wavelengths when such a
creating concerns in the community worldwide asseizure occurs".
to the effect of 3D viewing in "triggering" anSo in my opinion to confirm or obviate any
epileptic seizure.concerns or fears you may have for yourself or
In some cases these concerns are indeed valid, inloved ones about the trigger factor of viewing 3D
others it is merely adding another myth to theTelevision or 3D movies it would be pertinent to
mystery of epilepsy, particularly in the minds ofconfirm with your doctor, pediatrician or
those who are not epilepsy sufferers.neurologist as to whether you or your loved ones
As much as awareness of epilepsy and what it is,do indeed suffer from PHOTOSENSITIVE epilepsy.
and more importantly what it is NOT, is growing inThere are many things that can trigger seizures in
society through various information campaigns,different people, one which is fairly common is
the misguided stigmas attached to epileptics areSTRESS - so eliminate the stress and worry you
still unfortunately prevalent in those who do notmay have about the effects of 3D Television by
have epilepsy or are not close to someone whosimply consulting with your physician or primary
does.carer.
For those that are epileptics they are generallyWhy deprive yourself or your loved ones of the
well aware that epilepsy has many forms (types)experience of 3D Television viewing just because
and seizures manifest themselves in manyof a maybe?
different ways.If you do not have photosensitive epilepsy then
If you are concerned about 3D Television or 3Dthe risks should be negligible.
movies affecting your epilepsy then theMany people without epilepsy will feel a bit funny,
main issue to be determined should be - do youdizzy, experience headaches etc after watching a
have "Photosensitive Epilepsy" ?3D movie, after all the transmission and the 3D
The following is a brief extract from Wikipediaglasses are playing tricks on your eyes and brain -
explaining photosensitive epilepsy - there is muchso in epileptics feeling these sensations it does not
more specific information available however thisnecessarily mean the advent of a seizure.
should suffice to get across my message.In summary, the only people who can tell you if
"In some epileptics, flickering or flashing lights, such3D Television or movies will affect you is your
as strobe lights, can be responsible for the onsetdoctor(s), so don't listen to rumors or innuendo -
of a tonic clonic, absence, or myoclonic seizure.enjoy the experience.
This condition is known as photosensitive epilepsy,If you happen to be in the approximate 3% of
and in some cases, the seizures can be triggeredepileptics with photosensitive epilepsy then I feel
by activities that are harmless to others, such asfor you, however again talk to your physician,
watching television or playing video games, or bymaybe there is a way to offset the effects
driving or riding during daylight along a road with(some say taking an increased dose ( such an
spaced trees, thereby simulating the "flashing light"increase validated by your doctor) of
effect. Some people can suffer a seizure as aanti-convulsants prior to and after watching 3D
result of blinking one's own eyes. Contrary toTelevision or 3D movies can be beneficial,
popular belief, this form of epilepsy is relativelyhowever that is only hearsay.
uncommon, accounting for just 3% of all cases. In