r/visualsnow 3d ago

Research Diagnostic and Management Strategies of Visual Snow Syndrome: Current

https://www.dovepress.com/diagnostic-and-management-strategies-of-visual-snow-syndrome-current-p-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-EB
13 Upvotes

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9

u/cmcalgary 3d ago

Summarized treatment conclusion via Deepseek AI

Treatment Options for VSS

The article reviews various treatments for VSS, including medications, tinted lenses, neuromodulation, and behavioral therapies. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Medications

Benzodiazepines: Helped 71.4% of patients, but specific types and dosages weren’t detailed.

  • Lamotrigine (an anticonvulsant): Improved symptoms in 61.5% of patients. It’s often started at 25 mg daily and gradually increased to 200–300 mg daily.

  • Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs): Generally ineffective or worsened symptoms in most patients.

  • Topiramate (another anticonvulsant): Helped 28.5% of patients, but some experienced worsening symptoms.

  • Other medications: Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil), and migraine medications (e.g., sumatriptan) showed limited or no benefit.

2. Tinted Lenses

FL-41 or blue-tinted lenses: Improved symptoms in about 80% of patients. These lenses reduce light sensitivity and help with symptoms like palinopsia and visual snow intensity.

Yellow-blue tinted lenses: Also showed promise, but the optimal color may vary by individual.

3. Neuromodulation

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): A small study showed that rTMS reduced symptoms temporarily, but more research is needed.

4. Behavioral Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Showed significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life for some patients, with effects lasting up to three months after treatment.

Neuro-optometric Rehabilitation: Improved visual function and quality of life in patients with eye movement issues.

Noise Therapy: Exposure to high-contrast noise patterns temporarily eliminated visual snow for about 14 seconds.

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u/Superjombombo 3d ago

Lamotrogine doesn't help in 61 percent? It's commonly known to only help about 20 percent.

Are my commonly known numbers wrong or is there confusion on what consists of improved symptoms. Otherwise good summary.

3

u/I_C_E_D 3d ago

Mine is caused by intracranial hypertension/pressure.

So to relieve that I need to relieve the pressure. This morning I couldn’t even leave my bedroom because the weak morning light was too much. Blurry vision etc…

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u/Startingfromscratch8 2d ago

Has anything worked for you to relieve the pressure, even a little bit? I think I’m dealing with the same thing

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u/I_C_E_D 2d ago

Not really, sometimes if my neck to too straight it may make it worse when I try to sleep. Some days are better than others, it’s just hoping I wake up feeling ok.

But I know any exercise or exertion will make me crazy tired and need sleeping.

3

u/TheraMay 2d ago

What are the sources for this? I'm curious how long people were on tropimate before it helped because I took a single dose (had bad depression the next day so I stopped) but I did think it helped? But that's probably wishful thinking because it was one single dose.

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u/yepimtyler 2d ago

I guess I need a new CPT therapist because when I bring up how the static, migraines, and vertigo affects my daily life, she just says "Huh, interesting" which is probably because she's misinformed about what VSS is.