Can television cause seizures?
Television is by nature a flickering medium, and can pose a risk to viewers with photosensitive epilepsy. The most important criterion is the nearness of the TV screen to the viewer. The closer the set, the more the screen fills their entire field of vision and the greater the effect of the flicker frequency of the picture. Tiredness may be an associated factor. The further provocative factor is the material itself. Music videos and high-tech promotional materials are known for their quick-cut editing and high-contrast lighting patterns that often prove problematic for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Highly detailed computer-generated images can also be provocative. A few simple steps can be taken to help avoid seizures triggered by watching TV. The person should sit at least 3 metres from the set, and should be level with the screen rather than below it. A small, subdued light placed on top of the TV may help counteract the brightness of the screen. A hand placed over one eye if
