A health journal, Seizure, has published a new study on the ‘novel case of photosensitivity’ when taking selfies, a self photoshoot.
According to the study, photosensitivity occurs in a small number of those with epilepsy, and can cause them to have seizure when exposed to flashing, flickering or shimmering lights.
Also, exposure to particular screen resolutions on TV’s or computers may lead to seizures.
The discovery occurred during a three-day Electro-encephalogram (EEG) trial involving a teenage girl.
Researchers noticed that “bursts of activity” on the brain monitor occurred when the girl took selfies – activity that is normally associated with an epileptic seizure.
Researchers have narrowed the phenomenon down to two potential causes – the flashing light of a phone camera, or the pulsing LED light designed to get rid of red eye.
“There’s a lot of data already about selfies being potentially dangerous in some circumstances because people don’t think,” said Dr. Paula Brna, lead author of the study.
The study only involved one patient, though; and more work will have to be conducted in order to see if it has wider relevance.
