Important Notice Regarding Christmas Lights and Epilepsy

The holiday season is upon us, and we are seeing many festive lights displays around our communities. However, something important to keep in mind regarding Christmas lights is that they may affect people living with epilepsy.

Approximately 3-5% of people living with epilepsy have what is known as photosensitive epilepsy, where their seizures are triggered by flashing lights.

People with photosensitive epilepsy may be affected by flashing lights in Christmas lights displays and some of our members have requested that the community please keep this in mind when decorating for Christmas this holiday season. Please avoid using Christmas lights that flash, flicker, or that use strobe lighting effects.

If you have photosensitive epilepsy and you come across flashing Christmas lights displays, never close your eyes as this could increase your risk of having a seizure. Instead, cover one eye with the palm of your hand and turn away from the light source. Doing this reduces the intensity and the number of brain cells stimulated by the flashing light, which can prevent a seizure from happening.

To learn more about photosensitive epilepsy, please click here.