This book provides the first general and unified theory of visual discomfort. The theory is based on the observation that people find certain visual stimuli uncomfortable, and that these same stimule induce seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsy. The theory is applied to a variety of everyday problems such as eye strain from reading, lighting, television and VDU terminals, and more generally from design. A variety of techniques for preventing and treating visual discomfort are described.

Introduction
1: Photosensitive epilepsy
2: Illusions and headaches
3: Strong stimulation
4: Reading
5: Lighting
6: Electronic displays
7: Design
8: Colour as therapy
9: Speculation
10: Techniques for treatment

Arnold J. Wilkins , MRC Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge

`a welcome addition to the existing literature' Dr Brian A. Kidd, Exeter University, EYE News, Volume 2, Number 3, October/November 1995

`Throughout the text there are informative figures and diagrams which illustrate and amplify the points being made. I liked this book. It is both simple enough to be an introductory text and, with the detailed references and discussion of theories, presents a review of the current position of visual stress research. I would hope that organisations involved in this area would either purchase a copy or, at least, read a borrowed copy.' Mark Simpson, Loughborough University, Ergonomics Abstracts 1996, Vol. 29/2

`I enjoyed reading this book, and thought it valuable for several reasons ... anyone who lectures to psychology undergraduates and wants to provide some practial justification for talking about early visual processing will find plenty of supporting material here ... anyone who needs to take vision research out of the laboratory into the field ... will find the general approach and much of the detail stimulating ... the book reports a large amount of data, much of it with immediate, obvious, practical applications, which are sensibly and cautiously discussed ... the book represents a substantial achievement in applied vision research.' John Harris, University of Reading, Perception, 1997, volume 26