Need Help! Persistent Visual Snow without migraine

[Tonket]

My 19 year old daughter came down with visual snow 6 weeks ago while studying for finals.  Came on her with no migraine (she has no history), and the static never left.  Been to two ophthamogists, neurologist (ordered MRI and is normal), neuro-ophthamologist who basically said eyes are perfectly healthy as is vision, but had no clue why the VS except ocular or some kind of migraine.  Bloodwork was good except low in Vitamin D.  My daughter is not on any medication, or birth control, ilicit or legal drugs, not even alcohol.  She did however complain to our primary doctors three months prior to VS onset of spasms on the right/back part of her head from time to time.  They said it was muscular and never received treatment.  Could the spasms be a link to the onset of VS or considered migraine in nature?  Please help, don't know where else to turn as research and options are limited for VS.  I never even heard of this disorder until it happened to my daughter, must be because of lack of documentation and awareness.  Thank you.

[charlitgreeny]

Hi tonket, I have just turned 20 and got visual snow when I was 19. My heart aches for your daughter as I know how it feels, mine occurred around the time of my deadlines for uni and has progressed 3 times in the space of about 4 months. I believe adrenaline related stress caused mine and your daughters. I'm waiting on a referal to moorfields hospital in London, I've seen ordinary opthalmologists and neurologists etc with no luck, had an MRI etc. do you have an email I can contact you on, I would love to hear from your daughter as it feels like there is no one to talk to about this, are you in the UK? Charlotte.

[adamtimothy]

My eyes get red due to heat, then i feel difficulty to see, but when i went for a checkup doctor said eye sight is good. It happens every year.

[Anomalychick]

I have had visual snow most of my life, I first noticed it when I was 7. My mother has had it as long as she can remember. So does my sister, and my brother. None of us suffer from migraines. We have all had complete medical workups and there is no evidence of anything wrong. (Anything that would cause that.) It's not really a big deal. It doens't affect our vision, its simply there. I don't notice it anymore unless I'm looking for it.

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

Your daughter certainly has had a complete evaluation.  There does not appear to be specific treatment for visual snow.  It is perhaps related to migraine syndrome, but not always.  2 things might help:  ask the neurologist if a migraine prophylactic drug might help.  This is certainly worth a try.  If not, the brain has remarkable capacity for neuro-adaptation, and can filter out such symptoms, if the person tries not to focus on the images or look for the snow.  I realize this is easier said than done.  I hope your daughter finds some relief.

[Tonket]

I should mention she was put on Topamirate and took one dose last Tuesday, the next morning she woke up feeling great with no symptoms.  Few hours later, unfortunately, the static returned.  She continued Topamirate for five more days with no improvement, then primary told her to stop taking them.