Historical, Diagnostic, and Chromatic Treatment in Visual Snow Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE Visual snow syndrome is a relatively new medical condition, with presence of visual snow as the primary visual-perceptual symptom. Information from the present study will improve future clinical diagnostic and treatment aspects in this population. PURPOSE This study aimed to determine the historical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects in patients with documented visual snow syndrome/visual snow in an academic, optometric setting. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed in patients (N = 40, aged 12 to 55 years) with documented visual snow syndrome/visual snow examined over a 4-year period. Information was collected by a detailed case history and the Visual Snow Syndrome Symptom Survey. Treatment assessment was performed using the Intuitive Colorimeter, and a wide selection of chromatic tints was assessed under the most provocative/exacerbating and other conditions. RESULTS Visual snow was typically constant and monochromatic, with it being present on average 6.43 years. Bright and dark surfaces were the most provocative/exacerbating/revealing conditions, along with the viewing of computer screens. The most common etiology was mild traumatic brain injury. The most common primary and secondary symptoms were photosensitivity and tinnitus, respectively. There was a high frequency of occurrence of oculomotor deficits, especially accommodative and vergence insufficiency (~40 to 50%). Eighty percent of the patients were prescribed a chromatic tint with subjective visual reduction of visual snow ranging from 15 to 100% (mean, 45%). CONCLUSIONS The present information will help in understanding this unusual medicoperceptual condition, especially with respect to simple treatment frequently using readily available chromatic tints.