In 3 cases of "reading epilepsy", grand mal type convulsive attacks are precipitated by reading. An underlying epileptic predisposition must be assumed which is similar to cases of musicogenic epilepsy, certain cases of photogenic epilepsy, and perhaps writing epilepsy. It is suggested that this group should be called "exogenously precipitated epilepsies''. By actively decreasing attention or participation in the content of the precipitating factor, a possibility of suppressing such seizures exists. Anticonvulsant medication is usually ineffective. A lesion within the optic pathways could be an important pathogenic factor in reading epilepsy.