Visual Snow Initiative
Collaborate, Educate, and Cure
Visual Snow Syndrome is a neurological condition that impacts an individual’s vision, hearing, and quality of life. Patients see flashing lights, flickering dots, and static, all of which obstruct their visual field 24/7. There is no relief for them, even when their eyes are closed. Our goal is to help those with Visual Snow live and enjoy their life without fear. Together, we will find a cure!
DONATE TODAY
Help fund research for treatments and find a cure for Visual Snow!
LEARN MORE
Find out about this sight-altering brain condition and how it impacts thousands of people worldwide!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Join the movement and raise awareness for Visual Snow today!
The Important Condition You Probably Haven’t Heard of
What is Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)?
YOUR DONATIONS COUNT
Fundraising & Research
VSI Raises $140,000 for Visual Snow Research at Monash University
VSI Raises $140,000 for Visual Snow Research at Monash University
VSI Raises $100,000 for Visual Snow Research at Kings College London
VSI Raises $100,000 for Visual Snow Research at Kings College London
VSI Raises $125,000 for Visual Snow Research at University of Colorado
VSI Raises $125,000 for Visual Snow Research at University of Colorado
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Latest Updates
VSI News
VSI and Founder Sierra Featured in Rare Revolution Magazine
VSI and its Founder, Sierra, have been featured in Rare Revolution Magazine! Come check it out!
VSI Expert Dr. Peter Goadsby Awarded 2021 Brain Prize
We’re happy to congratulate one of our own, Dr. Peter Goadsby, Visual Snow expert and research pioneer, for being awarded the world’s largest neuroscience prize: the 2021 Brain Prize! 🧠🏆🥳 Dr. Goadsby is one of VSI’s founding collaborators/experts. He’s been there...
Breakthrough In Diagnosing VSS
Visual processing changes in people with Visual Snow Syndrome Source Emma J Solly, Meaghan Clough, Allison M McKendrick, Paige Foletta, Owen B White, Joanne Fielding. Ocular motor measures of visual processing changes in visual snow syndrome. Neurology. First...
The Origin of VSI
The Cure of Understanding
The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is an extension of the Visual Snow Conference, which was held on May 5th, 2018 at UCSF. The Visual Snow Conference was established to shine a light on Visual Snow Syndrome by raising awareness, providing education, and fostering understanding for those whose lives are directly affected by this medical condition. Footage of the entire event is available for free on our website.
Our Purpose
Why We Have to Help
The term, “Visual Snow”, may sound harmless; but this medical condition is life-altering and can be frightening. Compared to everyone around them, people with Visual Snow Syndrome see the world very differently.
Without warning or cause, patients are forced to view life through a constant overlay of static with thousands of tiny moving dots and lights covering their entire visual field. (This is comparable to trying to see in the middle of a dense, severe snowstorm; hence, the name). They are also subjected to other disturbing imagery, ranging from palinopsia to extreme light sensitivity.
Beyond being bothersome and alarming, all of these symptoms can make daily tasks exhausting or impossible. Moreover, symptoms last 24/7, whether the patient’s eyes are open or closed. Visual Snow does not discriminate; it affects thousands of people of all ages around the world from different walks of life.
Research indicates that Visual Snow Syndrome is a neurological condition, meaning the problem originates in the brain, not the eyes. (A.K.A. Its genesis is in the brain, but it affects the eyes.) This would explain why ophthalmological/optometric tests (eye exams) come back “normal” for patients with Visual Snow and why it is so difficult for doctors to diagnose.
Awareness and knowledge about Visual Snow Syndrome must replace unnecessary and invasive medical testing. For many, Visual Snow can be traumatic and isolating. The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is dedicated to further understanding this condition and working on a potential treatment/cure for it.
We often take the ability to see our world clearly for granted; those with Visual Snow do not have this luxury.
“I was determined not to let Visual Snow stifle my ambition. I did not want this circumstance to turn me into a person I wasn’t.”
Sierra Domb, Founder
Spread the Word
Support the Cause,
Change Lives for the Better!
Let’s work together to raise awareness and education for Visual Snow Syndrome within the medical community and amongst the public! Once both of these are firmly established, then we can get closer to solutions and importantly, a cure for those who need it most.
