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Observational Study
. 2024 Jun;26(3):293-301.
doi: 10.1002/epd2.20209. Epub 2024 Mar 18.

Photosensitivity and self-induction in patients aged 50 and older

C J J van Asch  1 , W P J Spetgens  1   2 , M D Bourez-Swart  1 , A M Meppelink  1 , C L P Deckers  1 , D van Blooijs  1 , D G A Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité  2   3
Affiliations
Observational Study

Photosensitivity and self-induction in patients aged 50 and older

C J J van Asch et al. Epileptic Disord. 2024 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Photosensitivity is known to occur predominantly in children and adolescents and with a clear female predominance. Little is known on the prevalence of photosensitivity in older patients (50+) and its phenotypical appearance.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed investigating the prevalence of a photoparoxysmal EEG response (PPR) on at least one EEG during the period 2015-2021. Data were gathered from patients aged 50 years and older by retrieving clinical and EEG characteristics from existing medical records. Data on photosensitivity-related symptoms in daily life were gathered with telephone interviewing.

Results: In 248 patients a PPR had been elicited, of whom 16 patients (6.5%) were 50 years or older. In older patients, photosensitivity was a persistent feature of childhood-onset epilepsy (n = 8), of adult-onset epilepsy (n = 7), or an incidental finding (n = 1). In the 50+ group, 56% of photosensitive patients was female, whereas 72% in the total PPR-group. In six of 16 older patients, eye closure sensitivity was observed; two of these patients reported self-induction. Symptoms of photosensitivity in daily life were present in eight out of nine patients who consented in a telephone interview. For seven of these patients, wearing sunglasses was helpful.

Significance: Female preponderance for photosensitivity was not found in epilepsy patients of 50 years and older. In 44% of the older photosensitive patients in this series, the PPR was a feature of adult-onset epilepsy. Symptoms of photosensitivity in daily life in older patients with epilepsy seem comparable to those in younger patients, and thus worthwhile to diagnose and treat them equally.

Keywords: EEG; eye closure sensitivity; iris color; medical history; photoparoxysmal response; photosensitivity range.

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References

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