Understanding seizure risk with wide field fundus photography: Implications for screening guidelines in the era of COVID-19 and telemedicine

Purpose: To report two cases of photosensitive seizures due to fundus photography flash. Observations: Two patients with seizure history present to a retina clinic for routine follow up. While obtaining imaging, these patients experienced a seizure triggered by fundus camera flash. Conclusions: Fund...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hong-Uyen Hua, Dante J. Pieramici, Nika Bagheri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-09-01
Series:American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451993620301596
Description
Summary:Purpose: To report two cases of photosensitive seizures due to fundus photography flash. Observations: Two patients with seizure history present to a retina clinic for routine follow up. While obtaining imaging, these patients experienced a seizure triggered by fundus camera flash. Conclusions: Fundus photography is essential and ubiquitous amongst optometry and ophthalmology practices, especially in the rising era of telemedicine in the setting of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. To our knowledge, there are no other reports in the literature of seizures triggered by fundus photography flash. However, we believe this to be an under-reported phenomenon and suggest that all eye care providers screen patients for a history of seizures or epilepsy prior to fundus photography.
ISSN:2451-9936