Visual snow syndrome is a neurological condition where people see persistent tiny flickering dots across the visual field, like static on a television. Standard eye tests are often normal.
Symptoms and associated features
The visual disturbance is present all the time, with eyes open or closed.
- Fine, dynamic graininess over the entire field of vision
- Common associated symptoms such as afterimages, photophobia, and palinopsia
- Frequent coexisting migraine, tinnitus, or anxiety
- Normal ocular examination and imaging in most cases
Management
There is no definitive cure yet, so care focuses on support and symptom control.
- Reassurance that the condition is benign, though intrusive
- Trial of migraine-style preventatives or visual filters in selected patients
- Management of associated anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance
- Ongoing research into brain mechanisms and potential treatments
