Visual Snow Initiative

COLLABORATE, EDUCATE, AND CURE

Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) is a neurological disorder that impacts an individual’s vision, hearing, cognition, sensory processing, and quality of life. The defining characteristic of VSS is seeing visual snow, which can be described as seeing static, flickering dots, and flashing lights 24/7 (with your eyes open and closed). Some describe it as trying to see in the middle of a snowstorm or through a snow globe that has been shaken up. VSS entails more than just seeing visual snow. People with VSS also commonly experience many debilitating visual and non-visual symptoms. VSS symptoms affect an estimated 2-3% of the world’s population. 

The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to global awareness, education, resources, patient advocacy, treatment development, and research for VSS. To date, our team has heard from people affected by VSS in over 93 countries. Together, we can find solutions!

Visual Snow 101

What is Visual Snow Syndrome?

If you have never heard of Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) before or if you have VSS and find it difficult to explain your condition to others, this video is for you. Physicians may also show this video to their patients or colleagues to help them better understand VSS. VSS is a complex condition, but the explanation of it does not have to be.

DONATE

Support VSS research and efforts to find a cure.

LEARN

Use our diagnostic tools and educational resources.

JOIN THE CAUSE

Share your journey and raise awareness for VSS.

What is It Like Having VSS?

Visual Snow Symptoms

Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. The condition encompasses an array of visual and non-visual symptoms.

Visual & Non-Visual Symptoms

Recent Highlights

Sierra Domb Shares 2024 VSI Updates on Visual Snow Syndrome

Sierra Domb, our Founder, shares the Visual Snow Initiative’s latest updates on Visual Snow Syndrome, including:
  • A new medication study
  • Ongoing collaborative global research
  • Insights from experts
  • Supportive and educational resources
  • Advocacy efforts
  • Additional news and developments

Our Collaborators

Some of the institutions we have worked with and continue to work with include:

Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Brain Communications
Brain Communications
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Journal of Neuro-Opthalmology
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
Headache, the Journal of Head and Face Pain
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Healthcare Brew
Healthcare Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew
Frontiers
Frontiers
Frontiers in Neurology
Frontiers in Neurology
PubMed
PubMed
Annals of Neurology
Annals of Neurology
Elsevier
Elsevier
 Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Advances in Ophthalmology and Optometry
Morning Brew
Morning Brew

Medical/Scientific

Publications

Our global impact and VSI-funded research studies have been published in the following medical/scientific journals and clinical databases:

VSI News & Research

Latest Updates

Here, our team will share the latest news and updates regarding the Visual Snow Initiative, research studies, interviews, projects, as well as any additional information related to our global efforts to better understand, treat, and/or cure Visual Snow Syndrome.

Join Our VSS Community

OUR PURPOSE

The Initiative

The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) was founded by Sierra Domb, who struggled, as many did, with the lack of information and resources available to those with Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). It was difficult for VSS patients to understand their condition and for physicians to help them. Sierra realized that further awareness, education, research, and solutions for VSS were necessary in order to reduce the high frequency of intrusive and unnecessary medical testing, marginalization, misdiagnosis, trauma, and isolation that many people with VSS endure (but should not have to). 

VSI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to awareness, education, resources, patient advocacy, treatment development, and research for VSS. Our team consists of passionate VSS experts, physicians, scientists, and researchers from around the world who are dedicated to creating and finding solutions. With your generous contribution, we gain the ability to collaborate on a global scale and continue to produce new research that can help those with VSS.

Origin of VSI

The Visual Snow Conference

One of the earliest efforts of the Visual Snow Initiative was the establishment of the first Visual Snow Conference in history. Held on May 5th, 2018, at UCSF, this free summit brought together patients, their families, and Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) experts from around the world. Everyone involved sought to raise awareness, share the current body of research, provide education, offer resources, and foster understanding for VSS.

NEWS & RESEARCH

Our team shares the latest news and updates regarding the Visual Snow Initiative, research studies, interviews, projects, as well as any additional information related to our global efforts to better understand, treat, and/or cure Visual Snow Syndrome.

PHYSICIANS & SPECIALISTS

Our Physicians & Specialists Directory is comprised of medical professionals from around the world. Many of them have helped members of the Visual Snow Syndrome community, who have then referred them to us and maintained they have knowledge of the condition.

VISUAL SNOW SYNDROME WARRIORS

These inspiring individuals living with Visual Snow Syndrome share their experiences and how they try to overcome its symptoms.

 

Exploring Our Website

VSI Website Walkthrough

This detailed video is guide designed to help you navigate all the information and resources related to Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS), Visual Snow Initiative (VSI), and more available on our website.

If you need guidance on navigating our website or are looking for something specific but are not sure where to start, we recommend watching this tutorial.

What the Experts Are Saying

Medical Professional Testimonials

“I was determined not to let Visual Snow Syndrome stifle my ambition. I refused to let this circumstance turn me into a person I wasn’t.”

SIERRA DOMB, FOUNDER