The physical symptoms of visual snow are more likely to appear in people with severe cases. In addition to the visual static, afterimages, and light sensitivity, migraine can accompany the condition. Research indicates that 50 to 80 percent of people with visual snow also report suffering from migraines. Tinnitus, the constant ringing of the ears, is another common comorbidity for those with visual snow, occurring in as many as 75 percent of patients.
Some researchers have compared tinnitus and visual snow as aural and visual versions of the same experience. Sleep difficulties have also been found to accompany the condition. One study found that 40 percent of those with visual snow tested poorly enough on a sleep quality scale to constitute disordered sleep.
Other symptoms that may accompany visual snow include:
- Poor night vision, also known as night blindness
- The perception of color swirls that often accompany migraines
- Vertigo, feeling dizziness or being off-balance
- Persistent fatigue
Several mental conditions frequently accompany visual snow as well. One study found that 25 percent of people with visual snow experienced severe depression and anxiety, most commonly among those with more severe cases of visual snow. Depersonalization, or the feeling of existing outside one’s body, was reported by 45 percent of participants in another study.
It’s not clear whether these psychiatric symptoms are a result of visual snow or arise from the same neurobiology.
Since people with more severe cases of visual snow are more likely to report psychiatric symptoms, this could result in a diminished quality of life and poor mental health.
Some researchers speculate that psychiatric symptoms may be inherent to the experience of visual snow; levels of depression, anxiety, and depersonalization are experienced with equal frequency among those born with visual snow and those who develop it later in life. People born with the condition may be more likely to see it as a “normal” part of their existence, regardless of severity; those who experience the onset of visual snow later in life are more likely to be shaken or upset by it.
FAQs
There's no standard treatment for visual snow syndrome, but providers continue to research the use of some medications. Your provider may suggest medications to treat mental health symptoms. This may include taking amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. Doing this may offer you a better quality of life.
Is a little bit of visual snow normal? ›
Visual snow, or visual static, is an uncommon neurological condition that affects around 2% of the population. In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Carrie Robertson, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, explains the rare disorder and what can be done to treat it.
Is visual snow linked to ADHD? ›
Visual snow syndrome is a visual disturbance that persists in the visual field. It is relatively rare, and the exact causes are not fully understood. However, it has been reported that some people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may experience visual snow symptoms.
How to ignore visual snow? ›
Redirect your attention away from the visual disturbances and focus on the people, places, or objects behind them. Practicing this consistently teaches your brain that VSS symptoms, while uncomfortable, are not dangerous.
Does visual snow get worse with age? ›
No, research has shown VSS does not cause blindness nor is it degenerative. Currently, there is no scientific evidence indicating that VSS gets worse with age. However, it can cause significant visual disturbances and impact a person's quality of life.
Can too much screen time cause visual snow? ›
Most people with visual snow syndrome see tiny dots across their visual field, even though they otherwise have no changes in their ability to see. The dots may get worse after looking at a screen for a long time or during times of high stress.
What can be mistaken for visual snow? ›
The differential diagnosis for Visual Snow includes: ectopic blue field phenomenon, persistent visual migraine aura, eye floaters, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal detachment, dyslexia. It is important to distinguish visual snow from other diagnoses, particularly from migraine with aura.
Why do I suddenly have visual snow? ›
The cause of visual snow syndrome is still largely unknown. Experts think it may be a neurological disorder of the brain's visual processing center. In particular, dysfunction and excessive activity of neurons in two parts of the brain may play a role: the primary visual cortex, which processes visual information.
Is visual snow worrying? ›
One study found that 25 percent of people with visual snow experienced severe depression and anxiety, most commonly among those with more severe cases of visual snow. Depersonalization, or the feeling of existing outside one's body, was reported by 45 percent of participants in another study.
Does caffeine make visual snow worse? ›
If you have visual snow syndrome, you may see improvement in your symptoms by getting good sleep, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and avoiding bright or dimly-lit lighting conditions.
Riboflavin and magnesium supplements may be of benefit for migraine and visual snow, as well.
Do glasses help visual snow? ›
Chromatically tinted lenses may ease visual snow symptom severity. Visual snow symptoms may reduce in perceived intensity when individuals with the condition use a chromatically tinted lens, according to research published in Optometry & Vision Science.
Is visual snow permanent? ›
The condition is typically always present and has no known cure, as viable treatments are still under research. Astigmatism, although not presumed connected to these visual disturbances, is a common comorbidity.
What autoimmune disease causes visual snow? ›
A case series of patients with glycine receptor autoimmunity describes symptoms of visual snow, palinopsia and positive visual phenomena which may be due to dysregulation of the GlyRα1 inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human retina [24].
What are the new treatments for visual snow? ›
Promising nonpharmacological treatments include mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, the use of chromatic filters, and research on visual noise adaption and neuro-optometric visual rehabilitation therapy (NORT).
Can you fix snow blindness? ›
Fortunately, snow blindness is not usually permanent and it's often short-lived. The symptoms are caused by temporary damage to the cells on the surface of the eye. If there is vision loss, it typically resolves in 24 to 72 hours.
Is visual snow lifelong? ›
Visual snow is lifelong but not everyone with the condition experiences it all the time. Those with milder presentations may experience it only in certain environments, such as in bright or low light.
Why did I develop visual snow? ›
The underlying cause of visual snow syndrome remains unclear, but it is believed to be due to a problem with how your brain processes visual images. The flickering tiny dots associated with the condition are typically black and white, but they can be flashing, colored, or even transparent.
Is visual snow a disability? ›
Abstract. Visual snow syndrome is characterized by a continuous visual disturbance resembling a badly tuned analogue television and additional visual and non-visual symptoms causing significant disability.
