How to avoid seizures caused by visuals

The Epilepsy Foundation revised its guidelines to limit the risk of seizures triggered by flashing images and some patterns on computers, TVs and videogames.

The guidelines, based on standards in place in Britain and Japan, are based on research into photosensitivity- - or susceptibility to visual stimulation.

Children and young adults from age 7 to 19 are five times as susceptible as the general public to visually stimulated epileptic seizures. Such seizures gained worldwide attention in 1997 when nearly 700 children were hospitalized in Japan while watching a Pokemon cartoon episode, the foundation said.

The Epilepsy Foundation recommends that people sit at least 2 feet away from game, computer or TV screens; keep rooms well lit; and take frequent breaks to look away from the screens.