Living with Visual snow syndrome
A condition in which people see tiny flickering dots across their whole field of vision, like snow or static.
Understanding Visual snow syndrome
People see many tiny flickering dots across their whole vision, like snow or static. They may also see floaters and keep seeing images after looking away. Light sensitivity, trouble with night vision, migraines, and ringing in the ears can also occur. GARD says symptoms do not usually change over time.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Tiny flickering dots across vision
- Eye floaters
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Trouble seeing at night
- Migraine
- Ringing in the ears
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Visual Snow Initiative may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Visual Snow Initiative
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Visual Snow Initiative
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says the cause is unknown, but it likely involves how the brain processes vision.
Patient organizations
- Visual Snow InitiativeVisual snow syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Visual snow syndrome.
Explore research for Visual snow syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Visual snow syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Visual snow syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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