Visual Snow Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications
Abstract
1. Introduction
(A) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Category | Percentage Reported * | Symptom | Description |
Visual | 100% | Visual Snow | Persistent grainy or pixelated visual disturbance across the entire field of vision, similar to TV static. |
Visual | 85% | Afterimages (Palinopsia) | Lingering visual traces of objects, sometimes with a trailing, comet-like effect. |
Visual | 74% | Light Sensitivity (Photosensitivity) | Discomfort or intolerance to bright lights or specific lighting conditions. |
Visual | 51% | Enhanced Entoptic Phenomena | Heightened perception of floaters or other ocular particles typically not visible. |
Visual | 33% | Night Vision Difficulty (Nyctalopia) | Impaired ability to see in low-light or night-time conditions. |
Visual | 30% | Flashes of Light (Photopsia) | Random, spontaneous perceptions of light flashes without external stimuli. |
(B) | |||
Category | Percentage Reported * | Symptom | Description |
Non-Visual | 26% | Balance Issues | Sensations of physical unsteadiness or difficulty maintaining balance. |
Non-Visual | 15% | Sound Sensitivity (Hyperacusis) | Increased sensitivity to sounds, where normal noises feel overly intense. |
Non-Visual | 26% | Sound-Related Fear (Phonophobia) | Excessive fear or distress triggered by common environmental sounds. |
Non-Visual | 26% | Migraine Headaches | Severe, often one-sided headaches, potentially with nausea or temporary visual disturbances. |
Non-Visual | 4% | Tremors | Small, involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions. |
Non-Visual | 48% | Ear Ringing (Tinnitus) | Persistent perception of ringing or buzzing in the ears without external cause. |
Non-Visual | 7% | Skin Sensitivity (Cutaneous Allodynia) | Pain or discomfort from light touch or normal skin contact. |
2. Methods
3. Treatment of VS/VSS
3.1. Discussion of the Condition with the Patient
3.2. Medications
3.3. Oculomotor-Based Vision Therapy
3.4. Chromatic Tints
3.5. Adaptation to Visual Noise
3.6. Environmental Alterations
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Treatment | Details |
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Discussion of the condition with the patient | Educate patients regarding the typically benign nature Refer to psychology and neurology |
Medications |
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Oculomotor-based vision therapy |
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Chromatic tints |
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Adaptation to visual noise | Short treatment periods |
Environmental alterations | Lighting Painting scheme |
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Ciuffreda, K.J.; Rutner, D. Visual Snow Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 6070. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176070
Ciuffreda KJ, Rutner D. Visual Snow Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(17):6070. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176070
Chicago/Turabian StyleCiuffreda, Kenneth J., and Daniella Rutner. 2025. "Visual Snow Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 17: 6070. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176070
APA StyleCiuffreda, K. J., & Rutner, D. (2025). Visual Snow Syndrome: Therapeutic Implications. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(17), 6070. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176070