Remediation of Visual Snow (VS) and Related Phenomena in a Neuro-Optometric Practice: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Visual Snow (VS) and the Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) represent relatively new and important medical and neuro-optometric diagnoses. While there is much information dealing with their defining characteristics and diagnosis, there is a relative paucity of information dealing with therapeutic intervention. Methods: In the present investigation, a retrospective analysis of 27 patients (ages 9-55 years, mean of 28 years) with documented VSS was performed with respect to treatment of the visual snow, palinopsia, and the newly-discovered versional oculomotor dysfunctions in a private, optometric practice setting. Patients were provided a comprehensive neurooptometric and binocular vision examination, as well as completed the VSS Symptom Survey. Treatment: they were given a selection of 5 BPI and FL-41 chromatic tints to assess using a simple clinical comparison protocol for the VS; they were provided a range of saccadic tests to remediate the common finding of palinopsia; and they were given optometric vision therapy to remediate the common, versional oculomotor problems. Results: Chromatic filters were prescribed in 24 of the 27 patients for their VS, with symptom reduction of at least 50%. Reduction of the palinopsia by 50-65% was found in all 23 patients who had palinopsia following the saccadic therapy. 23 of the 27 were given oculomotor-based vision therapy for their versional deficits (i.e., OMD), and marked symptom reduction was reported in all. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that neuro-optometric rehabilitation (NOR) provided successful remediation of the problems of VS, palinopsia, and OMD in symptomatic, clinical patients with VSS.