Computer screens and polarized glasses?

[togger]

Hello. I was just wondering if anyone have any experience with computer LCD screens and epilepsy? My brother just had his first seizure in many years (that we know of) and I think it may have something to do with the stress related to his finals and reading text/ looking at his old LCD screen. This screen runs at about 60 hz, and it looks alright. But would a new screen that doesn't glare and has a higher refresh rate (about 120 hz) do him any good. Could the screen being wide-screen be a problem. And could a new screen possibly be worse?

He also uses glasses, and could polarized glasses have a good impact on him watching screens and reduce flickering and eye/brain stress? He really loved the polarized sunglasses I bought myself and borrowed them a lot this summer, and I didn't understand why he loved them so much. Could this maybe be a reason? I feel bad about calling him an ass stealing my glasses now.

Thanks, any help is good help.

Also he is an early adult.

Edit: Sorry if I posted the wrong place. I couldn't really find where to put it.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi togger --

If your brother is watching an older style CRT monitor or TV, that could affect him, but LCD screens are thin, flat, screens which are flicker-free. This means they are unlikely to trigger seizures in and of themselves. (If your brother is using a CRT monitor or TV, switching to a newer flat screen might help. Different rates affect people differently, so it's hard to predict what will work best for your brother. Most people with photosensitive epilepsy are sensitive to 16-25 Hz, although some people may be sensitive to rates as low as 3 Hz and as high as 60 Hz. Anti-glare screens don't reduce the flicker rate, so they wouldn't provide any specific benefit to someone with photosensitive epilepsy.)

Even with an LCD monitor, certain images can be problems for folks who are sensitive though: Flashing or flickering lights, and/or contrasting dark and light geometric patterns, (like black and white stripes or checks). And other factors can increase the risk of having a seizure due to a photosensitive reaction:

-- Fatigue, stress or excitement. (e.g. from playing a video game for a long time without breaks.)
-- Being very close to a screen.
-- Staring at a light and dark pattern moving quickly, or changing direction
-- Seeing such an effect against a dark background (as in a darkened room)
-- Fluorescent lights

In addition, looking at a bluescreen for a lengthy time can make it harder to fall asleep, so if fatigue is a trigger, it's important to take at least a 1/2 break between being on the computer and going to sleep.

Special glasses can definitely make a difference. They don't stop photosensitivity in a person, but they can help to reduce the effect. Colored or photochromic glasses (darkened lenses) can reduce light sensitivity and/or visual distortions. And polarizing sunglasses can reduce reflection and glare such as sunlight on water.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Chel]

I can't tell you what type of screen I have, except that it's flat and oldish, but my brain feels better when wearing my amber polarising sunglasses than without.

It might just be reducing the contrast between black and white text, as I've already done just about everything else to remove triggers - olive Windows colour scheme instead of blue, reduced contrast, reduced brightness, slowed the flash of my mouse cursor down...