PHOTOSENSITIVE OCCIPITAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Overview

This epilepsy syndrome has onset in childhood and is characterized by the presence of visually-induced focal occipital lobe seizures. A proportion of patients with this syndrome have developmental delays and learning difficulty.

Clinical context

This syndrome is characterized by onset of seizures usually between 4 and 12 years of age (although younger and older ages of onset are reported). Both sexes are affected. Antecedent and birth history is uneventful. Head size and neurological examination are normal. Development and cognition may be impaired to variable degrees.

CAUTION Lafora body disease may present with occipital seizures and photosensitivity.