Skip to main content

Inferences Regarding the Visual Precipitation of Seizures, Eye Strain, and Headaches

  • Chapter

Abstract

In photosensitive epilepsy, seizures start in the visual cortex of one cerebral hemisphere or both hemispheres independently. The seizures occur when normal physiological excitation involves more than a critical cortical area, particularly when the excitation is rhythmic. Sodium valproate affects the discharge but leaves the trigger mechanism relatively unaffected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bickford, R.G., Daly, D., and Keith, H.M., 1953, Conulsive effects of light stimulation in children, Am. J. Dis. Child. 86: 170–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binnie, C.D., de Korte, R.A., and Wisman, T., 1979, Fluorescent lighting and epilepsy, Epilepsia, 20: 725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binnie, C.D., Wilkins, A.J., and de Korte, R.A., 1981, Interhemispheric differences in photosensitivity II. Intermittent photic stimulation, Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 52: 469–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binnie, C.D., Findlay, J., and Wilkins, A.J., 1985, Mechanisms of epileptogenesis in photosensitive epilepsy implied by the effects of moving patterns, Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 61: 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brundrett, G.W., 1974, Human sensitivity to flicker, Lighting Res. Tech. 6(3): 127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatrian, G.E., Lettich, E., Miller, L.H., and Green, J.R., 1970, Pattern-sensitive epilepsy. Part 1. An electroencephalographic study of its mechanisms, Epilepsia 11: 125–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darby, C.E., Park, D.M., Smith, A.T., and Wilkins, A.J., 1986, Electroencephalographic characteristics of epileptic pattern sensitivity and their relation to the nature of pattern stimulation and the effects of sodium valproate, Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 63: 517–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Debney, L.M., 1984, Visual stimuli as migraine trigger factors, in: F. C. Rose (ed.), Progress in Migraine Research, Vol. 2, Pitman-Medical, London, pp. 30–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drasdo, N., 1977, The neural representaion of visual space, Nature (Lond.) 266: 554–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eysel, U.T., and Burandt, U., 1984, Fluorescent tube light evokes flicker responses in visual neurons, Vision Res. 24: 943.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Georgeson, M.A., 1976, Psychophysical hallucinations of orientation and spatial frequency, Perception 5: 99–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Georgeson, M.A., 1980, The perceived spatial frequency, contrast and orientation of illusory gratings, Perception, 9: 695–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldensohn, E.S., 1976, Paroxysmal and other features of the electroencephalogram in migraine, Res. Clin. Studies Headache 4: 118–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golla, F.L., and Winter, A.L., 1959, Analysis of cerebral responses to flicker in patients complaining of episodic headache, Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 11: 539–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, K., and Foley, P., 1987, Temporal resolution: An insight into the video display terminal (VDT) “problem,” Hum. Factors 29(4): 447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubel, D.H., 1988, Eye, Brain and Vision, Scientific American Library: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeavons, P.M., and Harding, G.F.A., 1975, Photosensitive Epilepsy, Heinemann, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonkman, E.J., and Lelieveld, M.H.J., 1981, EEG computer analysis in patients with migraine, Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 52: 652–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, D.G.S., Binnie, C.D., de Korte, R.A., Overweg, J., Peters, A.C.B., and Wilkins, A.J., 1982, Correlative electrophysiological and clinical studies in photosensitive epilepsy, Br. J. Clin. Pract., Symp. Suppl. 18: 81–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laübli, T., Hünting, W., and Grandjean, E., 1981, Postural and visual loads at VDT workplaces II. Lighting conditions and visual impairments, Ergonomics 24: 933.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Movshon, J.A., Thompson, I.D., and Tolhurst, D.J., 1978, Spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity of neurones in areas 17 and 18 of the cat visual cortex, J. Physiol. (Lond.) 283: 101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neary, C., 1989, The effect of high frequency flicker on accommodation, Ophthal. Physiol. Opt. 9: 440–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nulty, D.D., Wilkins, A.J., and Williams, J.M.G., 1987, Mood, pattern sensitivity and headache: A longitudinal study, Psychol. Med 17: 705–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stefansson, S.B., Darby, C.E., Wilkins, A.J., Binnie, C.D., Malton, A.P., Smith, A.T., and Stockely, A.V., 1977, Television epilepsy and pattern sensitivity; Br. Med. J. 2: 88–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., 1986, Intermittent light from fluorescent lighting and visual display units affects movements of the eyes across text. Hum. Factors 28(1): 75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., and Lindsay, J., 1984, Common forms of reflex epilepsy: Physiological mechanisms and techniques for treatment, in: T.A. Pedley, and B.S. Meldrum, eds., Recent Ad-varices in Epilepsy II, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp. 239–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., and Nimmo-Smith, I., 1984, On the reduction of eye-strain when reading, Ophthal. Physiol. Opt. 4: 53–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., and Nimmo-Smith, M.I., 1987, The clarity and comfort of printed text, Ergonomics 30: 1705–1720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., and Robson, J.G., 1987, The Cambridge Low Contrast Gratings, Clement Clarke International, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., Binnie, C.D., and Darby, C.E., 1980, Visually-induced seizures, Prog. Neurobiol. 15: 85–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., Binnie, C.D., and Darby, C.E., 1981, Interhemispheric differences in photosensitive epilepsy I: Pattern sensitivity thresholds, Electro-encephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol. 52: 461–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., Nimmo-Smith, I., Tait, A., McManus, C., Delia Sala, S., Tilley, A., et al., 1984, A neurological basis for visual discomfort, Brain 107: 989–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., Delia Sala, S., Nimmo-Smith, I., and Somazzi, L., 1988, Age-related norms for the Cambridge Low Contrast Gratings, including details concerning their design and use, Clin. Vis. Sci. 2: 201–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, A.J., Nimmo-Smith, I., Slater, A.I., and Bedocs, L., 1989, Fluorescent lighting, headaches and eye-strain, Lighting Res. Technol. 21(1): 11–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winter, A.L., 1987, Neurophysiology and migraine, in: J.N. Blau, ed., Migraine: Clinical, Therapeutic, Conceptual and Research Aspects. Chapman and Hall, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeki, S.M., 1978, Functional specialisation in the visual cortex of rhesus monkey. Nature (5670):423–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Birkhäuser Boston, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wilkins, A.J., Binnie, C.D., Darby, C.E., Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité, D. (1990). Inferences Regarding the Visual Precipitation of Seizures, Eye Strain, and Headaches. In: Avoli, M., Gloor, P., Kostopoulos, G., Naquet, R. (eds) Generalized Epilepsy. Birkhäuser Boston. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6767-3_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6767-3_22

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Boston

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-6769-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-6767-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics