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
Visual Snow Featured on CBS’ “The Doctors”
VSI Founder Sierra Domb and Dr. Peter Goadsby were both featured on CBS' "The Doctors" 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 she...
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...
VSI Presents Neuroscientist Ed Boyden with Váró Brain Sculpture for His Support
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...
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.
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“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
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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.
