Visual partial seizures, also known as focal seizures with visual symptoms, refer to abnormal electrical activity in a specific area of the brain that is responsible for visual processing. These seizures are a type of focal seizure, which means they originate in one hemisphere or a specific area of the brain rather than involving the entire brain.
During visual partial seizures, individuals may experience various visual disturbances or disruptions, such as flashes of light, zigzag lines, blind spots, blurred or distorted vision, or even hallucinations. These visual symptoms can manifest in one or both eyes and typically last for a brief duration, typically a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
In addition to visual disturbances, other sensory and motor symptoms may accompany visual partial seizures, depending on the brain regions affected. These can include tingling sensations, numbness, muscle contractions or spasms, altered sense of taste or smell, or difficulty speaking or understanding language.
The onset of visual partial seizures can be triggered by external stimuli, such as bright lights, specific patterns, stress, lack of sleep, or in some cases, they may occur spontaneously without any identifiable trigger.
Diagnosis of visual partial seizures involves a comprehensive neurological examination, electrical brain activity monitoring (electroencephalogram - EEG), and in some cases, brain imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may be used to identify the underlying cause.
The treatment of visual partial seizures typically involves antiseizure medications prescribed by a neurologist that aim to control and manage seizure activity. In some cases, lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques, and avoidance of seizure triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of visual partial seizures.
