Reports in newspapers and on television have heightened public awareness that playing video games can, in rare cases, trigger seizures, but there is no scientific evidence that video games can cause epilepsy. Playing video games is an extremely common pastime for many children, and they often play them for long periods of time. Because epilepsy is a common disorder, it is not surprising that some children will have their seizures while playing video games, just by coincidence. How often this happens, and to what extent the games trigger the seizures, if at all, is not known.

Stress, fatigue, or hyperventilation may trigger seizures during video games in some children who have epilepsy.

Some other children are photosensitive. For them, flashing lights, flickering images, or certain color sequences can trigger seizures or create patterns on the electroencephalogram (EEG) that are typical of epilepsy. These children may have seizures directly associated with playing video games. Photosensitivity occurs in only about 3% of people with epilepsy, however, so almost all children who have epilepsy should be able to play video games without ill effects. Restricting a child from playing video games simply because he or she has epilepsy is not justified.

Parents who are unsure whether a child who has epilepsy is photosensitive should check with the doctor. This can usually be determined from their EEG test. Photosensitive children may be able to play some games quite safely but have problems with others. Medication or blue polarized sunglasses can often prevent seizures caused by photosensitivity.

For parents who are concerned about the possible risk of seizures, it may be helpful to observe the child during the game and watch for signs of possible seizures:

• brief episodes of blank staring, during which the child seems momentarily frozen in place
• rapid blinking or twitching of the mouth or face
• jerking movements of other parts of the body
• loss of attention
• brief inability to talk or respond
• reports from the child that things look, sound, smell, or feel different than usual

The presence of one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean that a child has epilepsy or is photosensitive, but it would be a good idea to tell the doctor.

The following suggestions, adapted from ways of reducing the risk of seizures in photosensitive children while they watch television, may be helpful with regard to video games:

• Play in a well-lighted room to reduce the contrast between the lighted screen and the surrounding area. Reducing the brightness of the screen may also be helpful.
• Keep as far back from the screen as possible.
• Use smaller screens in which it is more difficult to see the horizontal scan lines.
• Avoid playing for long periods.
• Take regular breaks, and look away from the screen every once in a while.
• Cover one eye while playing, alternating between the right eye and the left eye.
• Stop the game if strange or unusual feelings develop.
• Consult your doctor if a child has strange or uncomfortable sensations caused by light shimmering on water, sunlight flickering through the trees, or flashing strobe lights, or any usual reaction to sudden or strong light.

Topic Editor:James W. Wheless, M.D.
Last Reviewed:10/5/06