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!
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Help fund research for treatments and find a cure for Visual Snow Syndrome!
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Find out about this sight-altering brain condition and how it impacts thousands of people from around the world.
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 Founder Sierra Domb and Dr. Peter Goadsby Join Tinnitus Hub Podcast
Many who have #VisualSnowSyndrome also have #Tinnitus. We collaborated with the good people at Tinnitus Hub on this podcast where #VSI Founder Sierra Domb and neurologist Dr. Peter Goadsby talk about their experiences in trying to push the envelope for #VisualSnow sufferers as well as the analogies between the two conditions.
Visual Snow Initiative Funding of the MBCT-Vision Study at St. Thomas’ London
The #VSI enthusiastically supported Dr. Sui Wong’s Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy study modified for visual symptoms (MBCT-vision), put on by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, by providing the funding for the costs of functional MRI (fMRI) scans. 🔬👁👨⚕️ We are optimistic that the positive interim results and fMRI funding provided will help accelerate the process of finding a cure for #VisualSnowSyndrome.
VSI and Founder Sierra Domb Featured On Miami’s News@TheU
This article was originally published on University of Miami's News&TheU in September 2020. University student creates nonprofit to support research on Visual Snow Syndrome Sierra Domb uses her communications skills to raise awareness of and funding for studies on...
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 can be life-changing and frightening. Visual Snow Syndrome affects thousands of people of all ages and walks of life, but mostly young people in their teens and twenties. While the structure of their eyes may be fine, the issue lies within the brain, where hyperactivity of the visual cortex occurs; this is believed to be the root cause of Visual Snow.
In comparison to everyone else around them, patients see the world far differently. Without warning or cause, people with Visual Snow Syndrome are forced to view the world through an unceasing overlay of static with thousands of tiny moving dots and light across their field of vision. 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 the easiest of tasks exhausting or impossible. Moreover, they last 24/7, whether the patient’s eyes are open or closed.
Research indicates that Visual Snow Syndrome is a neurological condition, meaning the problem originates in the brain, not the eyes. Essentially, 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 the 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,
Find Solutions!
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.
