See through different eyes
What Visual snow looks like
Constant static-like flickering across vision
≈2–3% of people · Wikipedia · Learn more
What it is
A persistent overlay of tiny flickering dots across the whole visual field, in both eyes, present with eyes open or closed. It is understood as a disturbance in how the brain processes visual signals rather than a problem in the eye itself, and it is usually continuous rather than episodic.
What it looks like day to day
The static never switches off, including in a dark room, which makes it different from the ordinary noise everyone sees in very low light. It is often accompanied by afterimages that persist longer than they should, sensitivity to bright light, difficulty seeing at night, and tinnitus. Reading against a plain white page is a common aggravator.
What helps
There is no established treatment. Tinted lenses help some people, and many describe adaptation over time. Because a new visual disturbance can have other causes, it is generally investigated before being attributed to visual snow.
Who it affects
Estimated at around 2 to 3% of people, though the syndrome was only formally characterised recently and prevalence figures are still settling. It often begins in early adulthood.
Related conditions
Explore every condition or learn about color blindness.
This is an approximation, not a medical diagnosis.