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Visual snow syndrome


Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS), is a chronic, debilitating, and persistent neurological condition that affects a person’s vision, hearing, and brain function

Prevalence

Unknown

Age of Onset

ICD-10

H53.8

Inheritance

This condition does not appear to have a clear pattern of inheritance.

5 Facts you should know

FACT

1

People with visual snow syndrome see many flickering tiny dots, like snow or static, that fill the entire visual field.

FACT

2

This “static” is seen whether the eyes are open or closed.

FACT

3

Patients also report symptoms such as palinopsia, entoptic phenomena, photophobia, and nyctalopia.

FACT

4

Research indicates that the brain may be hyperactive in the visual cortex - and it is believed that the lingual gyrus is involved, as well as the thalamus.

FACT

5

Visual Snow Syndrome does not lead to permanent blindness.

Visual snow syndrome is also known as...

Visual snow syndrome is also known as:

  • VSS

What’s your Rare IQ?

Which of the following is not a common symptom of visual snow syndrome?

Common signs & symptoms

Tiny, snow-like dots across the visual field

Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Difficulty seeing at night (nyctalopia)

Continuing to see an image after it is no longer in the field of vision (palinopsia)

Seeing images from within the eye itself (entoptic phenomena)

Current treatments

No current treatment has proven effective for treating visual snow syndrome. Researchers are continuing to investigate potential options.
The best pharmacological evidence exists for lamotrigine. Recommended non-pharmacological options include tinted glasses.

Managing the symptoms

Preventing migraines

Top Clinical Trials

TitleDescriptionPhasesStatusInterventionsMore Information
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation For Visual Snow SyndromeThis study aims to investigate the feasibility of the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for symptoms associated with Visual Snow syndrome (VS).n/aRecruitingDevice: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation deviceMore Info

Top Treatments in Research

AgentClass/Mechanism of ActionDevelopment StatusCompanyClinical StudiesMore Information
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation deviceTMS is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that relies on electromagnetic induction using an insulated coil placed over the scalp, focused on an area of the brain thought to play a role in mood regulation. The coil generates brief magnetic pulses, which pass easily and painlessly through the skull and into the brain. The pulses generated are of the same type and strength as those generated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. When these pulses are administered in rapid succession, it is referred to as “repetitive TMS “ or “rTMS”, which can produce longer lasting changes in brain activity.n/aVarious medical device manufac turersMore InfoMore Info