Epilepsy and Fluorescent Lights

Epilepsy and fluorescent lights don’t go together – at all. If you have a condition known as photosensitive epilepsy, sitting under flickering lights all day can greatly increase your risk for suffering a seizure. Even though this is a rare condition, it can greatly impact the quality of life of people who have it. NaturaLux™ light covers from Make Great Light could help reduce that risk, helping you stay healthier and more productive.

What Causes Seizures Due to Photosensitive Epilepsy?

One of the biggest culprits behind photosensitive epileptic seizures is flashing fluorescent lights. [Source: Epilepsy Foundation] These lights flicker – it might be very subtle, or not even noticeable to most people, but to someone with photosensitive epilepsy it can be horrible.

The frequency of the flickering will play a major role in whether or not a seizure happens. Most people with the condition will be affected by lights that flicker between five to 30 times each second. Some, however, are so sensitive they’ll suffer a seizure when a fluorescent light flickers as little as three times per second.

The intensity of fluorescent lighting can also contribute to seizure risk. The brighter the light, and the more contrast that occurs (between light and dark areas while flickering occurs), the higher the chances for a seizure. The amount of light that takes up the visual field can also play a role. The more light fills that field, the more the area of the brain gets stimulated.

Other Risks Associated with Fluorescent Lighting

As bad as a seizure can be, there are other health effects of fluorescent lighting that can be just as bad. Here are just a few.

• Migraine headaches – Fluorescent lighting can trigger severe migraine attacks in people who are sensitive.

• Fatigue – People who are exposed to fluorescent lights for several hours each day, rather than natural lighting, tend to experience more fatigue.

• Sleep disruptions – Fluorescent lighting can interrupt the production of serotonin and melatonin. Both of these hormones are vital to helping make sure you get to sleep at a good time, and that you wake up refreshed and alert.

How Make Great Light Can Help

Our fluorescent light covers can greatly reduce flickering and reduce the chances of a seizure as a result. But NaturaLux™covers provide many other potential benefits as well.

For example, the natural light our covers emulate can reduce glare. This, in turn, can reduce eyestrain and fatigue. If you work in an office all day with fluorescent lighting, there’s a good chance you’re exhausted. That exhaustion may not be simply due to working hard. The lighting in your office can contribute to that feeling of tiredness.

If you suffer from a disease known as lupus, our fluorescent light filters could help you in ways you didn’t imagine possible. Fluorescent lighting is a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV light can trigger a lupus flare-up, which can be excruciating. [Source: Lupus Foundation of America] You can escape UV light from the sun by finding shade. There is no such escape from UV radiation from fluorescent lights. NaturaLux™covers eliminate that radiation.

Get in Touch to Learn More

As you can see, there’s a connection between epilepsy and fluorescent lights, and fluorescent lighting can contribute to other problems. Why risk it? Contact Make Great Light to learn more about how we can help reduce the chances for those issues. Use our online form or call 612-399-6484.