Anyone else have visual snow?

[imnotjahan]

I've read things saying it's fairly common, but the only other person I've met with it is the doctor who diagnosed me.

For those that don't know what visual snow is, I think it's best explained with a picture:

It's basically like a thin layer of transparent TV static that rests on your vision. You don't notice it until you do, and then it can't be unnoticed. It's rare that someone has visual snow on its own, typically it's with a myriad of other symptoms with it collectively being called visual snow syndrome (since the one unifying symptom amongst those that have it being the visual snow). No-one knows what causes it, sometimes it's from a tumor or hallucinogens, but often times it just comes about with no apparent reason.

If anyone else here does have it, I'd love to hear your other symptoms/when you got it. For me, I've got it with derealization, migraines, and light sensitivity, at least as the most annoying symptoms. I think I've always had it, because I can remember seeing it at night when I was a child, but only at night and as something that I thought was normal. A few years ago though I was meditating for a while, and when I stopped I saw the snow and had tremors all down my arm. Then I slept, and in the morning I could still see it, and so after a while and much googling I figured I had this, and ended up seeing a specialist who confirmed my suspicion and just said not to worry about it.

[Misanthropic Monster™]

I have had visual snow since I was a child, same as I get floaters and have had them since childhood too. It used to scare me but I am so used to it now, sometimes if my brain realises they're there it can be annoying till I forget about them and don't notice them etc. Also depends how tired I am if I see more or less.

The visual snow is always there though, I just don't see it unless I look at a bright sky or white wall etc.

I've only ever had two migraines in my entire life, and the visuals were intense to the point I thought I was having a stroke the first time lol - but I don't see more or less visual snow or floaters during that.

I get episodes of derealization/unreality during intense panic attacks or anxiety episodes and again, the visuals with that aren't really more or less floaters/visual snow - that is more odd stuff like tunnel vision, or suddenly it will look like the contrast of reality has been turned right up and things feel uncomfortable to look at etc. I also get pulsing purple if I am having a really bad time.

[Audball]

Oh, that's not just...how people see? ...huh.

I guess then I've had it for as long as I can remember. It never gets better or worse or anything, it's just kinda ever-present.

I've had migraines, derealization, light sensitivity and what not but they've all been able to be explained away by medications I either was taking or was trying to get off taking.

It doesn't really bother or affect me really. It's just how I've always seen so if it ever did bother me it was probably as a REALLY young child and I've since coped with it to where I didn't even know it was abnormal.

[imnotjahan]

The visual snow is always there though, I just don't see it unless I look at a bright sky or white wall etc.

I can see it pretty well when looking at a white wall, I think the monochrome makes it stand out more, but I can't see it when it's bright yeah. Looking at the sky though I often see sparks, which looks cool.

it will look like the contrast of reality has been turned right up and things feel uncomfortable to look at etc

Same for me, everything ends up looking sharper I feel like, sharper and flat.

Oh, that's not just...how people see? ...huh.

Rejoice! you can see even more

[Erratic Pulse]

I've had it for as long as I can remember, I think. I remember when I was younger, I actually noticed it and wasn't sure what to think - I think I was looking at a chair in a store??
Whenever I went to bed, I'd always see it and think "WOAH the particles are protecting me when I sleep!" since it looked somewhat like they were moving and circling around me, creating a sort of sphere.

Now I barely notice unless I consciously decide to look at it. It's still most apparent at night, but I can always see it if I want to. Don't think had any side effects directly from it, but looking at the list of symptoms, maybe some of my unexplained problems are related to visual snow.

Interesting to see how much it varies. For some it's just a harmless thing they've always had, but for some it's always accompanied by migraines, derealization, etc.

[crow-queen]

I get a small amount of visual snow, and I also get migraines with aura. I don't really notice the visual snow as much anymore since I usually noticed it while outside because of the higher light levels (especially on bright but cloudy days where the sky looks white), and I don't go outside as much as I used to.
Migraines I find that the bigger problem I have is that zigzag spiral thing that blocks a big portion of my vision. I also find that I am somewhat off balance and things feel like they're further away than they are (including, my hands and feet) so that can be tricky when navigating things like stairs. It feels kind of like looking through a fisheye lens.
I don't think I usually get as much pain as other people describe from their migraines though so it's swings and roundabouts.