Do you also see everything as "snow" in dots? Let's learn about Visual Snow Syndrome!

Have you ever noticed that when you lose your TV signal, you see tiny dots or snowflakes everywhere in your vision? It feels like you're looking at the world from inside a snow globe. If you see these dots twinkling with your eyes open or closed, you may have a condition we're going to talk about today. It's called Visual Snow Syndrome .

What is Visual Snow Syndrome?

Simply put, this is a neurological condition related to our vision. In this, you see small dots all over your field of vision, like "snow" or "static" everywhere you look. These dots can be colored, black and white, or transparent. Sometimes they can even appear to glow. Imagine, you are going to see a beautiful scene, but you can't see it clearly, instead, there are small dots everywhere. This is really annoying, isn't it? Scientists still haven't figured out exactly why this condition occurs. But they think it may be related to an overactivity of the occipital lobes , which are the main parts of our brain that process images. For many people, this is a chronic condition. That means it's not something that will get better in a short time. Also, many people with this condition can experience it along with conditions like migraines and anxiety .

How common is this situation?

Visual Snow Syndrome is actually not that common. It is estimated to affect between 2% and 3% of the world's population. That means it doesn't happen to everyone, but if you have these symptoms, remember that you are not alone.

What are the symptoms?

A person with Visual Snow Syndrome may experience a variety of symptoms. These can be divided into two main categories.

Vision-related symptoms

These are the main features that can be seen:

• "Fall" or "static vision" vision : Whether you have your eyes open or closed, you see these small dots everywhere you look. A special feature of this condition is that these dots are visible even when your eyes are closed.
• Palinopsia:This is when you see an object that you have seen for a while, even after it has moved away. For example, when you look at a bright light and then look away, you can still see the shape of the light for a while, or when you look at a speeding car, you can still see its "tail" after it has moved away. This is the condition called ``Palinopsia``.
• Sensitivity to light (Photophobia): When the sun goes out, or when you look at a bright light, do your eyes become blue and you feel so uncomfortable that you can't look? Does it feel like your eyes are being pricked by needles? This is called "Photophobia."
• Poor night vision ( Nyctalopia ): If you are unable to see at night in dimly lit areas to the level that others can normally see, have difficulty driving at night, or find items in a dimly lit room, you may have Nyctalopia.
• Entoptic Phenomena: In this, you may see various patterns of light, floaters , and flashes of light even when your eyes are closed.

Other symptoms not related to vision

In addition to visual symptoms, you may also experience:

• Hearing a ringing or roaring sound in the ears: This is called tinnitus .
• Feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable.
• Difficulty concentrating, inability to focus, or a feeling of ``brain fog''.
• Insomnia problems .
• Frequent occurrence of migraines with aura (this is different from your normal vision problems).
• Feeling dizzy or nauseous.
• Feeling detached from oneself (Depersonalization).
• Vertigo (feeling like everything around you is spinning).

Important: If you have one or more of these symptoms, do not assume that it is definitely Visual Snow Syndrome. These symptoms can also be seen in other medical conditions. Therefore, it is best to seek medical advice.

What is the reason for this?

In fact, researchers still don't know the exact cause of Visual Snow Syndrome.It has been impossible to find. Some scientists think that this may be because parts of the brain, especially those that control vision, are hyperactive . That is, they are overstimulated and working.

Are there any risk factors?

In some cases, doctors have found that a condition called Visual Snow Syndrome is more common in people with other medical conditions, including:

• Migraine with and without aura
• Anxiety

Although these cannot be considered risk factors, it is thought that there may be a link between these conditions and Visual Snow Syndrome.

How do you recognize this? (Diagnosis)

When you see a doctor, he or she will first ask about your medical history and ask about your symptoms. Then, a physical examination may be performed. Your eye care provider will perform a thorough eye exam. To make a definitive diagnosis of Visual Snow Syndrome, other conditions must be ruled out . Symptoms like these can be caused by other conditions. Your doctor may order imaging tests or other tests. You may also need to see a neurologist and an ophthalmologist . If possible, it is best to see a neuro-ophthalmologist . Your visual symptoms should not resemble the visual auras that occur during a migraine. Also, this "snowfall" vision should not be caused by another illness or by any medication you are taking. To be diagnosed with visual snow syndrome, you must meet certain diagnostic criteria . 1. You must have these symptoms for at least three months . While many people may have these symptoms early in life, some may begin to have them as young as their teens or twenties. 2. In addition, you must have at least two of the following four visual symptoms:

• Palinopsia (retroversion or tail-like images).
• Seeing colors or images of light within the eye, such as floaters and flashes of light (Entoptic Phenomena).
• Hypersensitivity to light (Photophobia).
• Poor vision at night (Nyctalopia).

What are the treatments?

To be honest, for Visual Snow SyndromeThere is no standard treatment for this condition. However, doctors and researchers are continuing to study some medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage your mental health symptoms (such as anxiety). For example, amitriptyline , a tricyclic antidepressant, may help improve your quality of life. Some researchers are testing the epilepsy drug lamotrigine as a treatment. This drug has also been used to prevent migraines with visual auras. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is also being investigated as a potential treatment for Visual Snow Syndrome. Some people may find relief by using blue light blockers . Also, if you have other conditions, such as migraines or anxiety, getting the right treatment for them may also help.

Is there a way to reduce this occurrence?

Unfortunately, there is currently no known way to reduce the risk of visual snow syndrome. Because the exact cause has not yet been discovered, it is difficult to say how to prevent it.

What happens if I have this condition?

First of all, Visual Snow Syndrome is not a contagious disease . So don't worry about passing it on to someone else. In some cases, the condition may go away on its own after a while. However, in other cases, the symptoms may get worse or become more pronounced . It varies from person to person.

How do I take care of myself if I have Visual Snow Syndrome?

Although there is no specific treatment for this, it is important to see a neuro-ophthalmologist to rule out other causes of your symptoms. Many people find that symptoms are worse when they are under stress or when they are not getting enough sleep . If this is the case for you, it is important to find ways to reduce stress and combat fatigue. Here are some things you can try to reduce stress:

• Doing an exercise you like.
• Doing yoga .
• Doing meditation .
• Practicing mindfulness .
• Massage `(Massage)` .
• Wellness methods like Reiki .

Also, there are things you can do to improve your sleep:

• Keep a regular bedtime. Go to bed at about the same time every day and wake up at about the same time.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment (your bed, pillow, room temperature, etc.).
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol – especially late in the day.
• Avoid looking at screens (phones, tablets, TV) late in the day.

When should I see a doctor?

It is important to see a doctor any time you notice any changes in your vision. If you have already determined that you have Visual Snow Syndrome, ask your doctor when you should contact him. Follow his recommendations about how often you should have regular checkups. You may also have questions to ask your doctor:

• Am I eligible for clinical trials ?
• Can you suggest ways to manage stress or improve sleep?
• Can you suggest a support group I can join?

Having a new or severe eye condition, especially when the cause is unknown, can be very stressful. If you continue to experience "snowfall" or "static vision," please see your eye doctor.

Take-Home Message

Okay, so now you have some idea about the Visual Snow Syndrome we talked about. Remember, although this is a bit complicated, you are not alone.

The most important thing is, if you notice anything unusual in your vision, such as "snowfall," don't ignore it. Be sure to see a doctor, especially an ophthalmologist, for advice.

It's possible that this isn't Visual Snow Syndrome, but it could be a treatable condition. So, getting a proper diagnosis is the first step. Then, following your doctor's advice, reducing stress as we've discussed, and getting a good night's sleep can help you feel better. Don't panic, but be aware!