Francesca Puledda1, Christoph Schankin2, Kathleen Digre3, Peter J Goadsby1. 1. Headache Group, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, NIHR-Wellcome Trust King's Clinical Research Facility, King's College Hospital, King's College London, London, UK. 2. Department of Neurology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 3. Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We provide an overview of the neurological condition known as visual snow syndrome. Patients affected by this chronic disorder suffer with a pan-field visual disturbance described as tiny flickering dots, which resemble the static noise of an untuned television. RECENT FINDINGS: The term 'visual snow' has only appeared in the medical literature very recently. The clinical features of the syndrome have now been reasonably described and the pathophysiology has begun to be explored. This review focuses on what is currently known about visual snow. SUMMARY: Recent evidence suggests visual snow is a complex neurological syndrome characterized by debilitating visual symptoms. It is becoming better understood as it is systematically studied. Perhaps the most important unmet need for the condition is a sufficient understanding of it to generate and test hypotheses about treatment.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We provide an overview of the neurological condition known as visual snow syndrome. Patients affected by this chronic disorder suffer with a pan-field visual disturbance described as tiny flickering dots, which resemble the static noise of an untuned television. RECENT FINDINGS: The term 'visual snow' has only appeared in the medical literature very recently. The clinical features of the syndrome have now been reasonably described and the pathophysiology has begun to be explored. This review focuses on what is currently known about visual snow. SUMMARY: Recent evidence suggests visual snow is a complex neurological syndrome characterized by debilitating visual symptoms. It is becoming better understood as it is systematically studied. Perhaps the most important unmet need for the condition is a sufficient understanding of it to generate and test hypotheses about treatment.
Authors: Francesca Puledda; Dominic Ffytche; David J Lythgoe; Owen O'Daly; Christoph Schankin; Steven C R Williams; Peter J Goadsby Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2020-03-10 Impact factor: 4.511