OUR MISSION
The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is a nonprofit organization that was created to establish global awareness, education, recognition, resources, and research for Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). All donations to VSI are directed exclusively toward funding scientific research aimed at understanding Visual Snow Syndrome, developing safe and effective treatment options, and ultimately finding a cure. As research progresses, VSI’s team simultaneously builds global collaborations, raises awareness among public and medical communities, and creates multimodal educational resources designed to help both patients and medical professionals.
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 brought together medical professionals and researchers from around the world to form a Global Research Team of VSS experts, collaborating to advance progress.
Since then, the VSI team worked tirelessly to foster collaborations between medical professionals and academic institutions, develop science-based solutions with researchers, make neuroscience education on this neurological condition more accessible to individuals of all ages and health literacy levels, and create comprehensive, impactful global resources.
VSI funded critical research across seven countries, which led to the clinical and scientific recognition of VSS as a distinct neurological condition, characterized by both visual and non-visual symptoms. This groundbreaking research resulted in discoveries about the biological basis and pathophysiology of VSS and facilitated the development of treatments for VSS symptoms where none previously existed. VSI also created the first Diagnostic Criteria for VSS, established the first Global Directory of VSS Physicians, and produced hundreds of educational videos for medical professionals and patients. VSI raised newfound awareness for VSS through multimedia content and developed physician-patient resources to improve health literacy, communication, and education regarding VSS. Additionally, VSI launched VSI 4 Kids, the first dedicated resource and website for children affected by VSS and their families.
VSI also achieved a historic milestone by securing the first-ever ICD recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for both Visual Snow Syndrome and its hallmark symptom, Visual Snow, which is characterized by the constant presence of static or snow-like dots across the visual field.
Since its inception, VSI’s team has brought together renowned and passionate Visual Snow Syndrome experts, physicians, scientists, and researchers from around the world, all committed to advancing scientific understanding and progress in the field. Their research has explored critical areas such as symptomatology, pathophysiology, brain network mechanisms, neurotransmitter activity, biomarkers, and treatment strategies. The team’s expertise has spanned a broad array of scientific disciplines, including neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, ophthalmology, optometry, neuroscience, neurobiology, and advanced technology.
Every donation to the Visual Snow Initiative directly supports studies and clinical trials on Visual Snow Syndrome conducted by our global network of researchers, while our team raises awareness and develops multimodal educational and physician-patient resources for VSS.
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
University of Perugia
Bournemouth University
University of Minnesota
Sechenov University
Visual Snow Initiative Medical Professional Testimonials
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.
The Origin of the Visual Snow Initiative
The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) was founded by Sierra Domb in response to the widespread lack of information and resources available for those affected by Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). Recognizing the need for greater awareness, education, research, and solutions for VSS, she sought to address issues like unnecessary medical testing, misdiagnosis, marginalization, trauma, and the lack of understanding within the medical community, as well as the isolation many with VSS experience.
Global Awareness & Research
VSI has received reports from individuals affected by VSS in over 93 countries. Our team has collaborated with international VSS experts and facilitated connections to strengthen global research efforts. Through these collaborations, we have raised awareness and contributed to generating interest and support for VSS-related studies.
Developing & Identifying Solutions
VSI has produced scientific studies, facilitated the development of viable treatment options where none previously existed for VSS, and organized events. Our team has also created accessible resources, including diagnostic tools, clinical guides, and educational content for individuals affected by VSS and medical professionals.
The Visual Snow Conference
Organized by Sierra Domb and the VSI team, one of their earliest efforts 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.
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:
Support VSS Research Today
Every donation to the Visual Snow Initiative funds critical Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) research. Your tax-deductible contribution drives global research efforts and creates a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by VSS.
