People

• According to ABC News, only a few people with epilepsy suffer from photosensitivity. "A small percentage of people with epilepsy-- somewhere between 3 and 5 percent -- are considered photosensitive, because light can trigger their seizures."
  
  

What happens

• In people who are photosensitive, the brain cannot handle visual information such as flashing lights. As a result, according to Science Daily, this "extra stimulation floods the brain and sends cells called neurons into a frenzy in which they fire uncontrollably, causing seizures."
  
  

Photosensitivity

• According to ABC, most "light-induced seizures" are activated by a "fixed frequency" of light. Therefore, the continual flashing of fireworks are exactly the kind of exposure that could cause photosensitive patients to seize.
  
  

Light intensity

• Intensity can also be an element of the risk for photosensitive people. The brighter the light is all at once, the more risk there is of "flooding" the brain. So the grand finale of a fireworks display is particularly dangerous.
  
  

Tips to prevent a seizure

• Dr. Giuseppe Erba told Science Daily that covering one eye during a fireworks show could reduce the amount of information the brain has to analyze, therefore helping to prevent a seizure from occurring. He also said to keep a safe distance from the display. Also, he recommended getting some sleep as deprivation can increase the risk. Epileptics should take their medication prior to a show. And finally, if your body begins to jerk, Ebra said to immediately close your eyes because this type of seizure can be stopped by ceasing the "visual input" to your brain.