Overview
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a neurological condition where a person sees constant static or 'snow' across their entire visual field — similar to the static on an old television screen. This happens all the time, even with eyes closed, and is not caused by a problem with the eyes themselves. Instead, it is thought to be caused by the brain processing visual information in an unusual way. The condition is also sometimes called 'visual snow' or 'persistent positive visual phenomenon.' Along with the static, most people with VSS experience a range of other visual and non-visual symptoms. These can include seeing trails behind moving objects, light sensitivity, floaters, and difficulty seeing at night. Many people also experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears), headaches, and symptoms that overlap with migraine. The condition can range from mildly annoying to significantly disabling, depending on how severe the symptoms are. There is currently no cure for visual snow syndrome, and no FDA-approved medication specifically for it. Treatment focuses on managing individual symptoms and improving quality of life. Research into the condition is still growing, and awareness among doctors has increased significantly in recent years. Many people with VSS live full lives, though some find the symptoms affect their daily activities, work, and mental well-being.
Key symptoms:
Constant static or 'snow' across the entire field of visionSeeing trails or after-images behind moving objects (palinopsia)Increased floaters in visionSensitivity to light (photophobia)Difficulty seeing in low light or at nightSeeing patterns or colors when looking at plain surfaces (pattern glare)Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)Feeling of unreality or detachment (depersonalization/derealization)Headaches or migrainesFatigue and difficulty concentratingAnxiety or depression related to symptomsSeeing flashes of lightHalos or starbursts around lights
Clinical phenotype terms (24)— hover any for plain English
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
3 eventsSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology — NA
University of Minnesota — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Visual snow syndrome.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Visual snow syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Visual snow syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Visual snow syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Investigating Brain Function in People With and Without Visual Snow Syndrome Using Adaptation to Visual Stimuli
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Visual snow syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Can you confirm that my symptoms fit the diagnosis of visual snow syndrome and that other causes have been ruled out?,Are there any treatments or medications you would recommend trying for my specific symptoms?,Should I see a neuro-ophthalmologist or migraine specialist in addition to you?,Are there lifestyle changes or triggers I should avoid to help manage my symptoms?,How will we monitor whether my condition is getting better or worse over time?,Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could participate in?,Can you refer me to a mental health professional who has experience with chronic neurological conditions?
Common questions about Visual snow syndrome
What is Visual snow syndrome?
Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a neurological condition where a person sees constant static or 'snow' across their entire visual field — similar to the static on an old television screen. This happens all the time, even with eyes closed, and is not caused by a problem with the eyes themselves. Instead, it is thought to be caused by the brain processing visual information in an unusual way. The condition is also sometimes called 'visual snow' or 'persistent positive visual phenomenon.' Along with the static, most people with VSS experience a range of other visual and non-visual symptoms. These
How is Visual snow syndrome inherited?
Visual snow syndrome follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Visual snow syndrome?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Visual snow syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Visual snow syndrome?
5 specialists and care centers treating Visual snow syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.