Abby I. Metzler & Carrie E. Robertson Published online: 22 June 2018
Age- and frequency-dependent changes in dynamic contrast perception in visual snow syndrome12/16/2021
Published: 11 December 2021
Conclusion This study demonstrates a lower visual contrast sensitivity exclusively at 15 Hz in VSS patients and demonstrates frequency-dependent differences in dynamic contrast vision. The peak sensitivities of both parvo- and magnocellular visual pathways are close to a frequency of about 10 Hz. Therefore, this frequency seems to be of crucial importance in everyday life. Thus, it seems plausible that the impairment of contrast sensitivity at 15 Hz might be an important pathophysiological correlate of VSS. Furthermore, the overall age-related decrease in contrast sensitivity only in VSS patients underscores the vulnerability of dynamic contrast detection in VSS patients. Dynamic CT detection seems to be a promising neurophysiological test that may contribute to the diagnosis of VSS. Full article click here Dev G Mehta, Ivan Garza, Carrie E Robertson First Published February 20, 2021 Conclusion Though most cases of visual snow are spontaneous, potential secondary causes should be recognized by clinicians. Patients who develop visual snow after an inciting event or related to an underlying comorbidity may have a better prognosis than those in whom it develops spontaneously. In select cases, treatment of the suspected underlying cause may significantly alleviate the otherwise typical intractable visual disturbances associated with visual snow. See full article below
It is important to get to know the people and faces behind a disease. No two experiences are alike. Visual Snow Syndrome is on a spectrum from mild to severe cases. From people born with the condition to people who have a sudden onset. Here Liz Brent-Maldonado will tell you her story and journey with Visual Snow Syndrome.
I've had Visual Snow Syndrome my whole life. I remember talking to my mom about it when I was 8 or 9 and realizing that I was seeing things that no one else was seeing (constant sparkle static, extra glow and colors around everything, after images, trailing images, and stars-times-a-billion between the real stars in the night sky). She encouraged me to talk to our eye doctor about it, but he thought I was talking about floaters and dismissed it. I always hoped it was a superpower I could harness, but instead spent a lot of my life ignoring it in order to just live normally. I never told anyone about it except the occasional significant other. I was always afraid that if I talked about it with doctors or scientists, I would be told I was losing my mind or I would end up locked up in a hospital or lab (I realize this is extreme, but I watched a lot of science fiction movies and tv shows!). In 2015 I started writing a series of autobiographical essays and realized what a mystery my unique visual experience is and that I wanted to write more about that! In 2016, I ran across the term "Tetrachromatic Vision" and thought that maybe that was what I had. That discovery inspired a long process of facing my fears, contacting scientists, and getting a new series of ophthalmology tests (which came back normal). In 2018, I ran across the term Visual Snow Syndrome and realized that this was a better match for my experience. I'm currently writing a book about my investigative journey and living with what I still call my "sparkle vision." But this year, I was able to share the Visual Snow diagnostic criteria with my primary care provider, which led to confirmation of my self-diagnosis by two neurologists! I've overcome a lot of fear and doubt to be able to talk more openly to everyone from medical professionals to friends and family about my experience. My dream is to publish my book, help others who experience VSS, and bring awareness to neurodiversity. Eye on Vision Foundation, and its founder, Jennifer Ambrose, are always pleased to be mentioned and contribute to articles and raising awareness of Visual Snow Syndrome amongst the medical community and general public. Click here to read the full article
Hurry, don't miss the chance for your donation to make 2X the impact. For just a few weeks--until Dec 31– a private donor to Eye on Vision Foundation will double your gift to create a future without Visual Snow. Donate at eyeonvision.org or CureVSS.com
Featuring, Angela, a Visual Snow Survivor! Here is her story in her words.
I want to introduce myself; I'm Angela Rivera and I suffer visual snow since November 26 2018 How it started with me - I started to get ear pressure and head pressure. I went to doctors and got diagnosed with ETD (eustachian tube disfunction). The pressure kept going on for about 2 weeks and I was so stressed, and my anxiety was so bad. Then I developed eye floaters and then I started with migraines daily and visual snow symptoms showed. I got so scared, I saw 4 eye doctors and neurologist - all said migraines. I was diagnosed status migrainous. I stood with symptoms for about 8 months and started to go away slowly. I was fine for a couple of years, until June 19, 2021 the ear pressure came back and so did migraines daily once again, and visual snow symptoms appeared again. Since then, I'm daily with migraine and visual snow. My daily life is always a battle to watch my kids. Always in pain and these symptoms really gets me down. I try my best to keep going with this condition at times it's very hard on me. I pray that one day there's treatment for this because I can't see myself living like this the rest of my life.
In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Carrie Robertson, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, explains the basics of Visual Snow.
Full article and video can be found here: Mayo Clinic Minute: Visual Snow |
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November 2023
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