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 flickering lights, dots, and static, 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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Fundraising
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
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 and fostering understanding for those whose lives are directly affected by this medical condition. Footage of the entire event is available for free on the Visual Snow Conference website.
Visual Snow News
Visual Snow Featured On CBS’ The Doctors
Founder Sierra Domb and Dr. Peter Goadsby are featured on CBS' The Doctors television show on May 13, 2019. The Doctors are joined by Sierra, who has Visual Snow Syndrome, and her neurologist, Dr. Peter Goadsby. Sierra says she first realized something was wrong when...
Visual Snow Initiative Raises $125,000 for Visual Snow Research at University of Colorado
“Our neurovisual research group at the University of Colorado School of Medicine is extremely grateful for the support and we are busy planning the research trial. Without the support of the Visual Snow Initiative, the trial would never be possible. We expect to have...
Visual Snow Initiative Presents Neuroscientist Ed Boyden with Váró Brain Sculpture for His Support to Advance a Cure
Paul Domb, Co-Founder of the Visual Snow Initiative, presented an abstract brain sculpture to neuroscientist Dr. Edward Boyden on April 3, 2019 at the McGovern Reading Room at MIT. Created by world-renowned sculptor Márton Váró, The Brain was given to Dr. Boyden as...
Why We Do It
The term “Visual Snow” may sound harmless, but this medical condition can be intrusive and frightening. Visual Snow Syndrome affects people of all ages throughout the globe from all 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 need to replace unnecessary and invasive medical tests. For many, Visual Snow can be traumatic and isolating. The Visual Snow Initiative 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.”
