Visual Snow Initiative
COLLABORATE, EDUCATE, AND CURE
Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) is a neurological condition that can affect vision, hearing, cognition, sensory processing, and overall quality of life.
The main characteristic of VSS is the constant perception of visual snow, which appears as static, flickering dots or flashing lights seen 24/7, whether the eyes are open or closed. Many describe it as trying to see through a snowstorm or a shaken snow globe. However, VSS typically involves more than just visual snow. Those with VSS commonly experience a range of other persistent, debilitating visual and non-visual symptoms. The condition is estimated to affect 2-3% percent of the global population and can impact people of all ages.
The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is a nonprofit organization that was created to raise global awareness, enhance education, develop resources, advocate for recognition, advance treatment development, and support research for Visual Snow Syndrome. To date, VSI has been contacted by individuals affected by VSS in over 93 countries. Together, we can take action to drive progress for VSS.
What is Visual Snow Syndrome?
Whether you are hearing about Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) for the first time or struggling to explain it to others, this video is for you.
Physicians can also share it with patients or colleagues to help improve understanding of VSS.
While VSS is complex, explaining it does not have to be.
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Use our diagnostic tools and educational resources.
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Visual Snow Syndrome Symptoms
Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) can impact individuals of any age or background, presenting a range of both visual and non-visual symptoms.
Visual & Non-Visual Symptoms
- Visual snow (dynamic, snow-like dots across the entire visual field)
- Palinopsia (continuing to see an image after the stimulus has been removed)
- Photopsia (flashes of light or small floating objects)
- Enhanced entoptic phenomena (excessive floaters and rings of light shooting across the entire visual field, more noticeable when looking at bright surfaces like the blue sky)
- Photophobia (sensitivity or intolerance to light)
- Nyctalopia (impaired night vision)
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Visual distortions
- Susceptibility to sensory overload (when the brain receives more sensory input than it can handle, triggering a "fight-or-flight" response)
- Hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sounds, especially those at specific frequencies)
- Tremors (involuntary, rhythmic movements of the body)
- Balance issues (difficulty maintaining body position or stability)
- Other visual phenomena, such as starbursts and halos
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing sound in the ears)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Derealization
- Depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself)
- Frequent migraines
- Brain fog and confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Paresthesia (tingling "pins-and-needles" sensations, commonly experienced in the arms, hands, legs, and feet)
- Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
- Sensory disturbances (such as "brain zaps" or electric shock-like sensations)
- Sensory hypersensitivity / hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to stimuli, such as sights and sounds)
- Cutaneous allodynia (pain sensation on the skin or scalp from non-painful stimuli, such as a hairbrush on the scalp or glasses on the nose/ears)
Recent Highlights
Sierra Domb Announces Historic ICD Recognition Of Visual Snow Syndrome
In 2024-2025, VSI Founder Sierra Domb, alongside Dr. Peter Goadsby and Dr. Owen White, led a landmark initiative through the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) that resulted in a historic breakthrough: official ICD recognition by the World Health Organization for both Visual Snow Syndrome (the neurological condition) and Visual Snow (the hallmark visual symptom involving persistent static). This marked the first time Visual Snow Syndrome was formally acknowledged within global medical and scientific frameworks. The achievement represented a pivotal advancement for individuals who had long been marginalized and dismissed since the condition was first documented in 1944. By securing this recognition, VSI catalyzed progress in diagnosis, research, and treatment access worldwide, offering long-overdue validation to those affected by this historically misunderstood condition.
Sierra Domb Shares Key Updates on Visual Snow Syndrome
Our Founder, Sierra Domb, shares the latest updates from the Visual Snow Initiative on Visual Snow Syndrome, including:
A new medication study
Ongoing global research collaborations
Expert insights
Supportive and educational resources
Advocacy efforts
Other important news and developments
Our Collaborators
Some of the institutions VSI has worked with include:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Monash University
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
University of Bern
King’s College
University of Oxford
NIH (National Institutes of Health)
University of California, Los Angeles
AnCan
University of Colorado
Imperial College
McGill University / Université McGill
NIHR National Institute for Health and Care Research
Binghamton University
Patient Worthy: Rare Patient News. Well Done.
University of Queensland
York University
University of Toronto
Oxford Mindfulness Foundation
The University of Sheffield
University of Perugia
Bournemouth University
University of Minnesota
Sechenov University
Medical & Scientific
Publications
Our global impact and VSI-funded research studies have been featured in the following medical and scientific journals, as well as clinical databases:
Latest Updates
Our News & Research section features important updates on the Visual Snow Initiative, including research studies, interviews, projects, and other relevant information about our global efforts and progress regarding Visual Snow Syndrome.
VSS Affects Individuals of All Ages Worldwide
The Visual Snow Initiative
The Visual Snow Initiative is a nonprofit organization that was created to raise global awareness, enhance education, develop resources, advocate for recognition, advance treatment development, and support research for Visual Snow Syndrome.
Sierra Domb founded the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) after experiencing the debilitating onset of Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) at the age of 21, a neurological disorder affecting millions of individuals of all ages that was not recognized or understood by the medical community. During her struggle, she faced marginalization and mistreatment due to the widespread lack of awareness, all while enduring severe symptoms without any available resources. This was not an isolated occurrence; for decades, individuals with VSS experienced skepticism, marginalization, mistreatment, and even wrongful institutionalization. Despite clinical documentation of the condition dating back to 1944, it remained largely overlooked by the medical field.
In 2018, driven by her own challenging medical journey and a desire to help others, Sierra organized the first Visual Snow Conference, founded the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI), and established a Global Research Team of VSS experts from around the world to collaborate in advancing progress.
VSI’s team consists of renowned and passionate VSS experts, physicians, scientists, and researchers from around the world, all focused on advancing clinical and scientific understanding of the condition. Their expertise spans a broad array of scientific disciplines, including neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, ophthalmology, optometry, neuroscience, neurobiology, and advanced technologies.
Your generous contribution allows us to collaborate worldwide and drive forward research, understanding, and solutions for VSS.
The Visual Snow Conference
One of the earliest efforts of the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) was the establishment of the first-ever Visual Snow Conference. Held on May 5th, 2018, at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Sierra and her team hosted a free summit that brought together individuals affected by VSS, their loved ones, and experts from around the world. Doctors, researchers, and scientists with expertise in VSS traveled from Australia, Canada, England, and various cities across the United States. Alongside Sierra, they offered acknowledgment and validation to patients and their families. The event aimed to raise awareness, share the current body of research, provide education, offer resources, and foster a deeper understanding of VSS.
NEWS & RESEARCH
Our News & Research section features important updates on the Visual Snow Initiative, including research studies, interviews, projects, and other relevant information about our global efforts and progress regarding Visual Snow Syndrome.
PHYSICIANS & SPECIALISTS
VSI’s Physicians & Specialists Directory features medical professionals from around the world. Many have worked with individuals living with Visual Snow Syndrome, who then referred them to us and affirmed their familiarity with the condition.
VISUAL SNOW WARRIORS
These inspiring individuals with Visual Snow Syndrome have shared their experiences and how they manage its symptoms.
VSI Website Walkthrough
This detailed video guide is designed to help you navigate the information and resources about Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS), the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI), and more available on our website.
- Discover the latest updates and enhancements on our website.
- Access new features and tools designed to assist VSS patients, medical professionals, and researchers.
- Learn how to quickly find essential information and resources related to VSS, VSI, and more.
- Check out how our new layout improves your browsing experience.
- Explore ways to connect with others and support the VSI’s mission.
If you need help navigating our website or are searching for something specific but are not sure where to begin, we recommend watching this tutorial.
Visual Snow Initiative Medical Professional Testimonials
“I was determined not to let Visual Snow Syndrome stifle my ambition. I refused to let this circumstance turn me into a person I wasn’t.”
