SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The Epilepsy Foundation of America is warning people with photosensitive epilepsy about a scene in the latest Twilight movie after it allegedly triggered seizures in some movie-goers, including one local man.
A statement on the website reads:
"A scene in the latest Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn: Part One, has reportedly caused seizures in at least two audience members. The scene contains flashing lights, which can sometimes trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy."
"If you have photosensitive seizures, please take this information into consideration when deciding whether to see this movie. Around 3 percent of the nearly 3 million Americans with epilepsy have photosensitive epilepsy."
Brandon Gephardt says he and his girlfriend were watching "Breaking Dawn: Part One" at a theater when he began convulsing during a graphic birthing scene. He said he doesn't remember anything until he woke up on the theater floor, but his girlfriend said he was, "convulsing, snorting, trying to breathe."
Paramedics took Gephardt to the emergency room and the theater had to cancel the rest of the movie for that showing.
Several reports on internet movie sites show reports of other people suffering similar symptoms during the same scene, which contains flashes of red, black and white.
While rare, the condition can be triggered by flashing red lights in people who are genetically predisposed.
A single seizure should not cause long-term damage to most patients, said Dr. Michael G. Chez, the medical director of pediatric neurology and epilepsy for Sutter Sacramento. Wearing sunglasses with cheap blue lenses can filter the red light for moviegoers who want to be on the safe side.
Photo caption: "Breaking Dawn" (Andrew Cooper/Summit Entertainment)
