Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Sunflower Syndrome
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Sunflower syndrome: This rare form of epilepsy is also known as self-induced photosensitive epilepsy. This condition is characterized by seizures that occur under specific circumstances, such as looking at a bright light source and waving the hand in front of the eyes, opening and closing the eyes rapidly, playing video games, or changing television channels quickly when sitting close to the screen. People with the condition have been described as seeking out light sources and then creating movements to induce the seizure. The cause of sunflower syndrome is unknown; physicians most commonly diagnose sunflower syndrome in children between the ages of 3 and 10. It affects girls 75% of the time.
