Visual snow syndrome

Información en español Title

Other Names:

Visual snow

Categories:

Nervous System Diseases

Summary Summary

Visual snow syndrome affects the way the visual information is processed by the brain and eyes. People with visual snow syndrome see many flickering tiny dots, like snow or static, that fill the entire visual field. Other visual symptoms include seeing blobs of varying size and shape (floaters) and continuing to see images after they are out of the line of sight. In addition, people with visual snow syndrome may have light sensitivity, difficulty with night vision, migraines, and ringing in the ears. The symptoms do not usually change over time. The cause of visual snow syndrome is unknown, but it is likely to be involve how the brain processes vision. Visual snow syndrome is diagnosed based on the symptoms. Treatment is focused on managing the symptoms.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Last updated: 8/13/2020

Symptoms Symptoms

The following list includes the most common signs and symptoms in people with visual snow syndrome. These features may be different from person to person. Some people may have more symptoms than others and symptoms can range from mild to severe. This list does not include every symptom or feature that has been described in this condition.

Symptoms of visual snow syndrome may include:^[2]

Tiny, snow-like dots across the visual field
Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Continuing to see an image after it is no longer in the field of vision (palinopsia)
Difficulty seeing at night (nyctalopia)
Seeing images from within the eye itself (entoptic phenomena)

Less common symptoms may include migraines, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and fatigue. In general, the symptoms of visual snow syndrome don't change with time. Some people with visual snow syndrome have depression or anxiety related to their symptoms. The symptoms of visual snow syndrome can start at any age, but usually occur in early adulthood.^[2]^[3]

Last updated: 8/13/2020

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Cause Cause

The underlying cause of visual snow syndrome is unknown. It is thought to be due to a problem with how the brain processes visual images.^[1]^[4]

Last updated: 8/13/2020

Diagnosis Diagnosis

Visual snow syndrome is diagnosed based on the symptoms and a specific set of criteria.^[3] In order for a person to be diagnosed with visual snow syndrome, other potential causes of the symptoms must be ruled out. Most people with visual snow syndrome have normal vision tests and normal brain structure on imaging studies.^[2]^[3]

Last updated: 8/13/2020

Treatment Treatment

Treatment for visual snow syndrome is focused on managing the symptoms and preventing migraines.^[3]

Specialists involved in the care of someone with visual snow syndrome may include:

Neurologist
Ophthalmologist
Psychologist

Last updated: 8/13/2020

Organizations Organizations

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Eye on Vision Foundation
E-mail: EyeOnVision@gmail.com
Website: http://eyeonvision.org/
Visual Snow Initiative
E-mail: info@visualsnowinitiative.org
Website: https://www.visualsnowinitiative.org/

Organizations Providing General Support

American Tinnitus Association
8300 Boone Blvd
Suite 500
Vienna, VA 22182
Telephone: 800-634-8978
E-mail: https://www.ata.org/contact
Website: https://www.ata.org/

Do you know of an organization? We want to hear from you.

Learn More Learn More

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

The Eye on Vision Foundation is a non-profit organization that covers Visual snow syndrome and has information on the condition.
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Visual snow syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

GARD Answers GARD Answers

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

Have a question? Contact a GARD Information Specialist.

References References

Puledda F, Schankin C, Digre K, Goadsby PJ. Visual snow syndrome: what we know so far. Curr Opin Neurol. February 2018; 31(1):52-58. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29140814.
Puledda F, Schankin C, Goadsby PJ. Visual snow syndrome: A clinical and phenotypical description of 1,100 cases. Neurology. 2020; 94(6):e564-e574. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31941797.
Traber GL, Piccirelli M, Michels L. Visual snow syndrome: a review on diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment. Curr Opin Neurol. 2020;33(1):74-78. 2020; 33(1):74-78. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31714263.
Visual Snow Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2018; https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/visual-snow-syndrome/.
Kondziella D, Olsen MH, Dreier JP. Prevalence of visual snow syndrome in the UK. Eur J Neurol. 2020; 27(5):764-772. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31714263.