Observations on the electroencephalogram and photosensitivity of South African Black albinos.

An EEG survey of 70 normal South African black albinos was carried out to determine whether the lack of pigment in the retinae and eyelids would have any effect on the photoconvulsive response during intermittent photic stimulation. Only 2 out of the 70 (2.85%) showed photosensitivity on intermittent photic stimulation. The results do not confirm the "pigmentary protection theory." Other intrinsic inhibitory factors must be responsible for the level of the photoconvulsive threshold.