visual snow
Every morning starts with a neighborhood hike. Still adjusting to the change to daylight savings time, I was getting a later than usual start on Monday and as I reached the end of the driveway I encountered one of my neighbors out for a stroll with her dog.
We ended up hiking my regular route together—about 3.4 miles. It was nice to have the company. Otherwise, I’d be listening to an audiobook, per usual. In this instance, walking with Jill kept me from The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (a book that does not make for an inspiring start to any day).
Jill knows I’ve been struggling, and she shared some of her own challenges. She mentioned something she called snowy vision. “Where everything is pixelated,” she explained. Not floaters, but more like static.
I’d never heard of the condition before, but I knew exactly what she was talking about—because that’s what my field of vision has always looked like. I just didn’t know it wasn’t normal. But apparently visual snow is a thing, and it’s not uncommon in those with dysautonomia (like me). It frequently goes hand in hand with tinnitus, and both can be tied to low blood pressure—all on my list of “normal.” This is not a new symptom. It’s just a new name for something I didn’t even know I had.
What’s really striking is this: Up until just this past Monday morning, I thought everyone saw the world this way.
I had the same profound realization where I believed everyone always saw this way. When it was brought to my attention by a friend it was shocking. I’m trying to find more info on it but it seems to be rare. Would you be willing to talk with me about what it looks like to you? Please feel free to email me @ anitramichelle5683@gmail.com