Vision Static / Snow
 

This is where your vision looks like a staticky TV all the time. I've had this ever since my injury. It was way more intense before, but is still hanging around. I do my best to ignore it. It is not so bad during the day, but makes it hard to see at night.

Does anyone know anything about it? What causes it and what might help it?

Thanks

I have also had this since my first tbi two years ago. It's called "visual snow." I haven't investigated much about it as it is a mostly benign symptom, but I just think of it as the visual version of tinnitus. I had read on— I believe a VA hospital article concerning visual field loss post tbi— that visual problems are of the most widely reported symptoms for TBI patients. I'm not sure of the neurological significance for this, if there is one.

Anyway I assume that, like with tinnitus, there is probably little attention paid to visual snow and probably more paid to more severe conditions like visual field or acuity loss. For me anyway, tinnitus was way harder to learn to live with and I wish there were something for these kinds of ailments. As for visual snow, I have yet to visit a neuro-opthalmologist so I don't know if there's any treatment for it. I doubt it anyway. The bright side is that when you close your eyes to go to sleep, it goes away. Or rather, it's considered normal to see fuzzy light when one's eyes are closed.

Dear RRC,

Sorry you are having this issue. The best way I can explain this is that your brain works a little differently now. So before the accident you were able to process everything by sight and sound very quickly. Now things work slower. You can still see but your brain processes what it sees very slowly, too slowly for your eyes to provide clarity before they take on another scene.

The best way to get better is proper brain rest. "Snowy vision" - this is simply your body telling you it needs time out. Proper brain rest means a quiet place with no interference to your eyesight or hearing. Find a restful place, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
Over time (months of practicing this) you will probably start to get clearer sight, but when you go "snowy" again, you will know you have overdone it! Learn to rest regularly. Sadly you are not what you were before the accident so learn to readjust.

You are not alone! Air your thoughts here.

Take care, I hope this helps xx

Thanks Peaches, but this is a 24/7 symptom. It is not an "oops I've over done it" symptom.

Beelzebore - thanks for sharing. I've also managed to do a pretty good job to ignore the constant visual snow and constant tinnitus. The visual snow gets pretty irritating at night though because it actually affects my ability to see in the dark.

Dear RRC,

I will clarify what was meant.....

Once you get this under control, (with the time out exercises) you will not notice this "snowy vision as much" and if it returns, then you will know you may have overdone it.

Please know that all you describe are very common side effects of brain injury that many of us have suffered and managed to find ways to relieve them or learn to live with them. Please do not feel alone. You will get a lot better, the brain needs more time. It has not been that long. Believe me in September you will start to see a lot of your symptoms start to get slightly better (the 18 month point). And at 2 years etc.

Please re read my post and take on board the info as it was meant....someone who has been through bad vision and this (above) is how I learnt to deal with it. I still suffer from "snowy vision" a lot. But if I take my own advice and rest properly, proper brain rest, I am a lot better and you will be too.

Take good care of yourself.xx