permanent visual aura

[Kris189]

Hello, i have suffered from visual snow for 11 years now and all the doctors i have seen have told me i have depression and anxiety.i have had an MRI and CT which were clear. I am convined that the migraines i started getting at the age of 16 have caused this permanent change in my vision and this has caused me to become anxious and depressed. Everything has an unusal glow about it and appears too bright. i have trouble with flourescent lighting and focusing on reading black text on white paper. computer screens are an issue and lectures at uni are difficult as the white background on the screen makes it hard for me to see beyong the flickering it causes me. after i look at an object then look away i see after images. i have trouble focusing on people when i talk to them due to the visual static. the vision is similar to the auras i used to suffer from before getting a migraine but not as severe.
I would give anything just to have normal vision, it's been so long that i've forgotten what it is like. i avoid social situations in bright lighting due to my focusing problems and i'm sick of this vision thing making everything appear dreamlike!
Do you have any advice?

[Jade196]

I forgot to mention that my mother and brother also have this.  My best supposition is that this is genetic and some sort of bad wiring between the eyes and the brain in my case.  

[Jade196]

I have had visual snow as long as I can remember, which is since I was 4 years old.  It's always been especially easy to see the static in the dark, although I can see it all the time.  I also see halos and starbursts around lights.  Oddly, though, these starbursts tend to be two perpendicular lines or just one straight line...  

Also, on rare occasions, I see sparkles very briefly.  Usually for a few seconds.  They don't seem to be associated with anything in particular but are very pretty.

Also, on the couple of occasions where I've come near to passing out (or did), the static got more and more until it swallowed my whole field of vision.

I've never suffered from a migraine as far as I know nor seizures.  I am near sighted and have a slight astigmatism.  I'm also a vegetarian who might not keep up enough on the protein and vitamins.  I've never asked a medical professional to examine me for my symptoms.  My eye doctor has never commented on anything being out of the ordinary.

I'm not sure if my descriptions will be helpful, but I figured I'd throw my story out there.

[Velise9]

Wow, am I glad I found this forum. I've been experiencing what I've been calling "weird vision" for nearly 10 years now. It's so hard to explain to people, but aura is the perfect word. I feel like there is an aura around everything I look at, 24 hours a day. It does flare up and get worse, but is constant. Does anyone else also notice that their eyes feel numb or dilated?

I do not have migraines, but have read that it is possible to have migraines without pain. Anyone else have the aura without pain? I went to a neuro-opth many years ago, but they were not able to offer any ideas as to what I was experiencing. I may look into trying another one soon.

Thanks for any input in advance. I hope everyone has found some relief!

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
Thanks for the update. It is good that your neuro-opthalmologist cleared your visual symptoms. How are your osteopath sessions? I hope you are feeling better already. Take care always and hope to hear from you soon.

[frustratedandaging28]

Hi
I have had the visual snow checkd by my neuro opthalmologist but he says its fine just need to control it. Its the other problems like tiredness and nipping at side of head. I am seeing a osteopath for ,my neck pain so hope this will help.
Thanks for help so far.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? I know it has been more than two years since your last post. As mentioned, there are plenty of members who are experiencing the same visual symptoms you have. Were you able to identify the underlying cause and have this symptom managed? Take care and do keep us posted.