What Is Visual Snow Syndrome?

Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on August 24, 2022
Written by Julian Selemin
4 min read

Visual snow syndrome is a rare condition that causes a continuous visual disturbance that occupies the whole visual field. The syndrome is characterized by visual static, which appears as tiny flickering dots that can be black and white, colored, or transparent. There is no known cure for this condition, as research is still ongoing. 

Here’s what you need to know.

Visual snow is a continuous visual disturbance that can entirely obscure vision. People who have it often describe it as a tiny flickering that resembles television static. While this “snow” is usually black and white, it might also be colored or transparent.

Research on visual snow syndrome is minimal, as it is a rare condition. Most of what we know about this condition comes from single-patient reports. The exact causes are yet unknown — however, experts have identified a link with some other conditions such as tinnitus. 

Visual snow syndrome often comes accompanied by other visual disturbances that make this condition highly obstructive in most cases. For example, some have reported impaired night vision or sensitivity to light (photophobia). Furthermore, visual effects originating from the eye are also common, such as palinopsia — a condition which causes prolonged after-images, as if objects were leaving a trace.

While research is limited, experts have been able to distinguish two kinds of visual snow syndrome symptoms: visual and non-visual. Naturally, visual symptoms are the easiest way to tell if you have this condition, as the visual distortions it causes are very characteristic.

The most important symptom to keep in mind is the visual static, which is described as uncountable tiny, flickering dots. These appear all over the visual field and may be black and white, colored, or transparent. Other, similar visual distortions are also possible, so make sure you describe what you are experiencing properly to your doctor. 

Besides the previously described distortions, there are some other visual symptoms that often come with visual snow syndrome. People with this condition usually report a decreased perception of contrast and depth, along with the feeling that their visual field is less clear.

Although visual symptoms are the telltale signs to keep in mind when referring to visual snow syndrome, there are also some key nonvisual symptoms that may come with it. Here are some of the most common ones:

Experts have also found links between visual snow syndrome and both tinnitus and migraines. It’s unclear why these correlate, but it’s important to be alert for all symptoms when considering visual snow syndrome. An unclear description could lead to a misdiagnosis, which is relatively common with this condition.

The causes of visual snow syndrome are almost completely unknown due to the lack of research. This is common among conditions that are considered rare, as the absence of cases makes them difficult to study exhaustively. However, experts have found a few key features of visual snow syndrome that point to it being a neurological disorder. Neurological disorders affect the nervous system. 

Many people who have visual snow syndrome have linked it to a particular incident in their lives. These “triggers” may explain what caused the condition to appear, but experts have yet to find a consistent connection between them and visual snow syndrome. 

Some of the common triggers include:

These triggers may indicate that visual snow syndrome comes from the brain. While this doesn’t help to explain the exact cause of the condition, it does provide a starting point for research. By better understanding how the disorder works on a neurological level, experts may be able to develop treatments to improve the quality of life for those who live with visual snow syndrome.

Due to the lack of known causes, there isn’t an accepted treatment for visual snow syndrome yet. Furthermore, people who have this condition usually react differently to each medication, meaning that what works for one person may do nothing for the next.

Doctors often prescribe anti-depressants or anti-migraine medications for visual snow syndrome. Yet, recent research has proven that medications against migraine, depression, or pain cannot consistently treat this condition. The same studies have also concluded that these options don’t worsen it either, though — so, although it’s unlikely, they might work for you.

One of the few documented cases that report a positive impact on visual snow syndrome offers lamotrigine as a possible solution. Lamotrigine is a medication used for treating seizures in people who have epilepsy. 

Similarly, naproxen, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been proposed as a solution.

However, there isn’t enough evidence to prove that either lamotrigine or naproxen can help treat visual snow syndrome. Experts are still gathering case reports to find a consistently effective medication for this condition.

Visual snow syndrome usually doesn’t require any specific tests to identify it. Instead, people who suspect that they have it often perform a self-diagnosis based on their visual and non-visual symptoms. Then, they take that information to a doctor, who may prescribe certain visual tests to ensure that your vision isn’t impaired. 

If you suspect you have visual snow syndrome, try to identify if you have:

  • A continuous visual disturbance similar to static that has lasted for more than three months
  • Palinopsia
  • Photophobia
  • Impaired night vision
  • Migraines
  • Tinnitus

If you suspect that you may have visual snow syndrome and you meet at least some of these criteria, make sure to visit a doctor. An expert will be able to recommend the steps you need to take to verify that you have the condition — and undergo treatment for it.