Do you see visual snow??

--LOS--

Hello after hours. Do you see visual snow?

I only found out the other day that not everyone sees visual snow :eek: and it's blowing my mind a bit because I've seen it for as long as I can remember and it's all I know. It's quite strange to try to imagine not seeing it along with all the other stuff that can accompany it like BFEP.

This gives you some idea what visual snow is like but I would describe it as like seeing visual noise, dense tiny dots pulsating across your whole field of view reminiscent of television static, especially noticeable on large blank areas and really exaggerated in the dark but always there, eyes open or shut. It's hard to even say what colour it is, there's also a lot of afterimages so you're aware of this constant static mixed with flashes from the afterimages.

As a child I used to think my eyesight was almost too good that I was seeing details that were less noticeable to everyone else so it didn't bother them. I used to think the BFEP, like this, was seeing the individual particles that make up things like little electrons whizzing around Anyways all of it bugged the ****ing hell out of me, made me very anxious, but I never said it to anyone because I just felt that everyone was like this but somehow it didn't bother them. But the worst part was the closed eye hallucinations, going to sleep and there's a kaleidoscope happening behind your eyelids which was terrifying, it was like you could get no break from it, just constant visual stimulation, a lot of times I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or closed at night because it would be the same crazy sh1t either way, that turned into paranoia about being blind or going blind. When I think back to that time now it was truly torturous. The kaleidoscope stuff seemed to fade away as I got older, I think I just got used to the rest of the stuff that it's not something that really bothers me. I had nearly forgotten about how bad the hallucinatory looking stuff was until I was looking up something about photophobia which is what mostly bothers me (also related). Then I crossed this other stuff and it's weird how many symptoms I can check off.

Not sure if I now wish I never came across it in case I start paying more attention to it -_-

So does anyone see visual snow? And if you don't does everything look flat and still for you :eek: Like when you look at a solid dark colour, it's just dark??? And what do you see when you close your eyes?

smash

I see it, but I also have very good eye sight. I also get tinnitus... sometimes I think I might actually be a broken TV set.

but at least I don't get ocular migraines. They sound horrendous.

The King of Moo

I'll occasionally see the odd little tiny dot flying around, especially if I'm tired, but apart from that nothing even close to the picture you linked to. Everything I see is much clearer than that.
I guess I see in 1080p 4K HD.

GLaDOS

I have gotten something that looks like that gif when you get that dizziness when you stand up after sitting down for ages. Other than that, no I don't.

smash

I used to wonder if there was something strange going on with my eyes or if I was carrying around some kind of strange static electric field or something. I see artificial light as flickering a lot of the time, but only in close proximity. I can stand in a supermarket and see clear from one end of the shop to the other but as I walk down the isles, the lights overhead seem to be flickering. Same in toilet cubicles and stuff.

renegademaster

smash wrote: »

I used to wonder if there was something strange going on with my eyes or if I was carrying around some kind of strange static electric field or something. I see artificial light as flickering a lot of the time, but only in close proximity. I can stand in a supermarket and see clear from one end of the shop to the other but as I walk down the isles, the lights overhead seem to be flickering. Same in toilet cubicles and stuff.

Same here, eye buddy

Mint Aero

I see clearer and crisper than 4k tv op. Also when I close my eyes I see the light from reflected from whatever I was looking at

NegativeCreep

Yeah I have that visual snow things too. Thought everyone had it tbh! Also have that kaleidoscope visual effect thing when I close my eyes at night. When I was a kid sometimes the colours used to arrange themselves into scary images which was terrifying! Good to know I'm not alone on that ha.

--LOS--

smash wrote: »

I see it, but I also have very good eye sight. I also get tinnitus... sometimes I think I might actually be a broken TV set.

but at least I don't get ocular migraines. They sound horrendous.

ye I also get tinnitus but that bothers me least of all, I'm only aware of it occasionally. But I've also gotten the depersonalisation/derealisation which is pretty scary for a kid, I get that infrequently now thankfully. My eyesight was always very good too, hence my lame theory to explain it. Not too sure how I'd test now, I don't feel like it's as good since I started using computers. But I don't have vision problems, except that it's irritating to read text and concentrate because of the light. I never got migraine as in pain, but just the vision stuff. Do you have light sensitivity as well? Do you think you always had it then?

ScienceNerd wrote: »

I have gotten something that looks like that gif when you get that dizziness when you stand up after sitting down for ages. Other than that, no I don't.

I think that's normal, but this is sort of unchanging. And I think people can see the white floaty spots when they really try to if you look at a bright window. But this is like I've always been aware of them and wondered what the hell they were. I tune it out a lot more now. I was asking my twin sister yesterday if she had it and she said she thinks she sees the snow when she's really tired. It's a bit puzzling to me now how come she doesn't have it.

smash

--LOS-- wrote: »

Do you have light sensitivity as well?

No, I rarely wear sunglasses and when I do, I find they impair or distort my vision too much so it takes a while to get used to them. In saying that, using a computer for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for over a decade and a half, has definitely caused issues. Not that my vision has got worse, but that my eyes get tired and dry a lot quicker.

--LOS-- wrote: »

Do you think you always had it then?

Not quite sure. I don't remember not having it, but I also don't remember always having it. It's just something I'm used to so I don't pay attention unless it's a very sunny day and what previously appeared to be 'static' can sometimes look like sparks.

--LOS--

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Yeah I have that visual snow things too. Thought everyone had it tbh! Also have that kaleidoscope visual effect thing when I close my eyes at night. When I was a kid sometimes the colours used to arrange themselves into scary images which was terrifying! Good to know I'm not alone on that ha.

Ye I can relate to that, I almost wish I could see it like that now though, I might enjoy it more

The Backwards Man

I can see like Jimmy C.

--LOS--

smash wrote: »

No, I rarely wear sunglasses and when I do, I find they impair or distort my vision too much so it takes a while to get used to them. In saying that, using a computer for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for over a decade and a half, has definitely caused issues. Not that my vision has got worse, but that my eyes get tired and dry a lot quicker.


Not quite sure. I don't remember not having it, but I also don't remember always having it. It's just something I'm used to so I don't pay attention unless it's a very sunny day and what previously appeared to be 'static' can sometimes look like sparks.

By sparks you mean the blue entopic phenomenon? That is your white blood cells you're seeing in your eye, that's too weird.

I'm really fed up of the sun now, I'm gona get proper sunglasses next time I'm home, the difference I feel walking around in the evening or at night, I nearly cant stand to be in the sunlight during the day, it makes it so hard to just relax when the glare is driving me crazy.

GLaDOS

--LOS-- wrote: »

I was asking my twin sister yesterday if she had it and she said she thinks she sees the snow when she's really tired. It's a bit puzzling to me now how come she doesn't have it.

Identical twin? Interesting if so.

Badly Drunk Boy

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Yeah I have that visual snow things too. Thought everyone had it tbh! Also have that kaleidoscope visual effect thing when I close my eyes at night. When I was a kid sometimes the colours used to arrange themselves into scary images which was terrifying! Good to know I'm not alone on that ha.

I have that kaleidoscope thing when trying to get to sleep, but usually only a day or two (or maybe three) after imbibing lots of alcohol. And no, it's not the DTs.

I suppose the visual snow is sort of similar to The Hum, except for the eyes. I experience The Hum a lot but only discovered that it was a thing within the last year.

Stillhouette

I can't say I have any of the items mentioned in this thread. I am colour blind though.

smash

--LOS-- wrote: »

By sparks you mean the blue entopic phenomenon? That is your white blood cells you're seeing in your eye, that's too weird.

Kind of like that. It's not always blood cells: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/benign-eye-floaters

mathie

What the **** are you people talking about?

Rothko

Yeah, I have that. Up until now, I thought everyone else did too.

biko

Only sometimes in winter.

Duggy747

Have you tried updating your display drivers or at least apply Human Hotfix Patch 1.1?

--LOS--

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I can see like Jimmy C.

if you start singing.......

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Identical twin? Interesting if so.

ye identical.

--LOS--

smash wrote: »

Kind of like that. It's not always blood cells: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/benign-eye-floaters

oh I was talking about these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon_animation.gif That is white blood cells, you can observe that directly because it's produced within the eye, but the snow is created by your brain, like neurons firing. The floaters are a different thing, but I don't see those at all.


Suas that was like me the other day, is this a huge revelation for you

Rubberlegs

smash wrote: »

I see it, but I also have very good eye sight. I also get tinnitus... sometimes I think I might actually be a broken TV set.

but at least I don't get ocular migraines. They sound horrendous.

Ocular migraines are rotten . I get no headache whatsoever, just the dizzies. Sometimes when one is coming on I might be sitting in the car, and go to grab the handbrake because it feels like the car is moving. It's the sensation that you are moving when you aren't. The visual bit is horrible, and can last up to half an hour. The edges of my vision turn into zig zag ,shimmering rainbows. Weak as hell for the rest of the day after it passes. Thankfully I don't get them too often. My Dad didn't have great eyesight, and was paranoid he was seeing things that weren't really happening. He used to squint up at streetlights asking me could I see the halo around the light .

--LOS--

73Cat wrote: »

Ocular migraines are rotten . I get no headache whatsoever, just the dizzies. Sometimes when one is coming on I might be sitting in the car, and go to grab the handbrake because it feels like the car is moving. It's the sensation that you are moving when you aren't. The visual bit is horrible, and can last up to half an hour. The edges of my vision turn into zig zag ,shimmering rainbows. Weak as hell for the rest of the day after it passes. Thankfully I don't get them too often. My Dad didn't have great eyesight, and was paranoid he was seeing things that weren't really happening. He used to squint up at streetlights asking me could I see the halo around the light .

ahh I didn't know it was still called that without the pain. That sounds horrible

That reminds me of my little cousin squinting at the stars and asking me can I see her twinkling the stars

Das Kitty

Thanks for this --LOS--

It explains everything.

I have every single symptom and related symptom. I had an ocular migraine this morning in fact. I too always thought everyone had this, especially as every time I go for an eye test I'm told I have 20:20 vision.

Brain fog is the worst of the related symptoms. It feels like you're losing your memories, but really your brain is just dreaming and it's that sensation of trying to hold on to a dream as you wake that you're going through. I thought I was having a stroke the first time it happened.

I'm sensitive to light. The worst for me is when some fcuker leaves their fog light on and I'm behind them in traffic. I'm guaranteed a migraine when that happens.

DavyD_83

Never knew it was a thing, and always assumed everybody saw it to some degree or other. But, yep, I definitely have whatever it is that causes it.

Also nightblind, not sure if it's related. Essentially my eyes don't adjust top darkness like teh rest of ye.
I know nobody can see in the dark, but I walk into a lot of stuff when everybody else can see them clearly; it runs in the family, and I'm not just making it up :rolleyes:
Somethign to do with Rods; saw something else on the net recently about having extra cones and therefore better colour vision, have sort of convinced myself I have that now too. Only articles google is throwing up now seem to claim it's a women thing, so not sure how taht fits for me.

Does mean that in the dark sometimes if there are small lights (eg stars) visible, I can't make them out because of all the 'snow'

donvito99

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOcvmTLTtNE

I get this guy.

Das Kitty

Oh and I know when an ocular migraine is coming because I can't see people's right eye properly, or it looks like it's drooping.

MrWalsh

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Yeah I have that visual snow things too. Thought everyone had it tbh! Also have that kaleidoscope visual effect thing when I close my eyes at night. When I was a kid sometimes the colours used to arrange themselves into scary images which was terrifying! Good to know I'm not alone on that ha.

+1
Same for me.

I also occasionally get occular migraines. I thought everyone got them. I quite enjoy them, they give me a spaced out feeling.

--LOS--

Das Kitty wrote: »

Thanks for this --LOS--

It explains everything.

I have every single symptom and related symptom. I had an ocular migraine this morning in fact. I too always thought everyone had this, especially as every time I go for an eye test I'm told I have 20:20 vision.

Brain fog is the worst of the related symptoms. It feels like you're losing your memories, but really your brain is just dreaming and it's that sensation of trying to hold on to a dream as you wake that you're going through. I thought I was having a stroke the first time it happened.

I'm sensitive to light. The worst for me is when some fcuker leaves their fog light on and I'm behind them in traffic. I'm guaranteed a migraine when that happens.

The cognitive stuff is a bit hard to figure out because I'd attribute that to other things.

I don't drive but for me when a car is coming towards you at night with dim headlights on, I have to completely turn away, it's like someone is shining a torch right in my eyes, usually I'm cursing them that they didn't have their dimmers on until the person driving tells me they did.

DavyD_83 wrote: »

Never knew it was a thing, and always assumed everybody saw it to some degree or other. But, yep, I definitely have whatever it is that causes it.

Also nightblind, not sure if it's related. Essentially my eyes don't adjust top darkness like teh rest of ye.
I know nobody can see in the dark, but I walk into a lot of stuff when everybody else can see them clearly; it runs in the family, and I'm not just making it up :rolleyes:
Somethign to do with Rods; saw something else on the net recently about having extra cones and therefore better colour vision, have sort of convinced myself I have that now too. Only articles google is throwing up now seem to claim it's a women thing, so not sure how taht fits for me.

Does mean that in the dark sometimes if there are small lights (eg stars) visible, I can't make them out because of all the 'snow'

The nightblindness makes sense because the snow really comes out in the dark. I don't know how that woman finds white walls soothing on her eyes though, I would find the opposite.

Do you have artistic ability Davy?

Jaxxy

I see visual snow all the time! It's actually a great migraine early warning system for me. I suffer from migraine with aura and about fifteen minutes before the pain hits the snow will intensify.

ThisRegard

NegativeCreep wrote: »

Yeah I have that visual snow things too. Thought everyone had it tbh! Also have that kaleidoscope visual effect thing when I close my eyes at night. When I was a kid sometimes the colours used to arrange themselves into scary images which was terrifying! Good to know I'm not alone on that ha.

Ha, same here, thought it was normal.

I do enjoy lying down and getting the kaleidoscope fractal patterns though, they can be quite cool.

Also get the halos on street lights, and am night blind too but I think that's a side affect of laser eye surgery as I'm only affected if I'm in a room and the lights are turned off. Eventually they adjust but pretty slowly.

Kingp35

Ted Talk about it.

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-are-those-floaty-things-in-your-eye-michael-mauser

ScumLord

No I see unicorns. Maybe you're just not taking enough of the drug.

dont bother

you're high OP, go home!

Saralee4

Yes op I see this too! I also thought as a child that I was seeing in detail the atoms and electrons in the air. :-s

frozenfrozen

I get all of these things. it's like I'm at 800 iso on a ****ty aps-c sensor all damn day. Awful sensitive to light too, and instant nausia with strobic things. Sun is shining and there are trees making the light flicker, here you go have a migraine. my eye noise doesn't go away ever though, it's always there, and most light sources bloom because of a tiny astigmatism in my left eye.

I'm ocularly retarded

Flood

Yes

silverfeather

Jaxxy wrote: »

I see visual snow all the time! It's actually a great migraine early warning system for me. I suffer from migraine with aura and about fifteen minutes before the pain hits the snow will intensify.

I have actually heard of that. I don't see it though. I don't really get migraines.

DavyD_83

--LOS-- wrote: »

The cognitive stuff is a bit hard to figure out because I'd attribute that to other things.

I don't drive but for me when a car is coming towards you at night with dim headlights on, I have to completely turn away, it's like someone is shining a torch right in my eyes, usually I'm cursing them that they didn't have their dimmers on until the person driving tells me they did.



The nightblindness makes sense because the snow really comes out in the dark. I don't know how that woman finds white walls soothing on her eyes though, I would find the opposite.

Do you have artistic ability Davy?

Nope, pretty much zero artistic talent. I'm too analytical to be creative I do like colours.
The night blindness is unrelated as far as I know, but the 'snow' just seems to make it worse after a while cos i can't tell the snow from the little bit of light i can make out. I think after lil while I'm dark my eyes and brain just stop trying

I didn't know this was a thing
yeah I get it
mostly/especially when I'm tired
I spent a lot of time wondering about it as a kid
I think if I'm fully rested and awake during the day I wouldn't notice or would forget about it
the tinnitus is very infrequent also though i used to have both of them more as a kid

Magnate

bluewolf wrote: »

I didn't know this was a thing
yeah I get it
mostly/especially when I'm tired
I spent a lot of time wondering about it as a kid
I think if I'm fully rested and awake during the day I wouldn't notice or would forget about it
the tinnitus is very infrequent also though i used to have both of them more as a kid

Me neither, I've always wondered about it too.

Although I'm still not certain if I have it or something else. I have great vision but when I consciously think about it and look into space without focusing my eyes on anything, my vision appears "pixilated" but still perfectly clear at the same time if that makes sense.

What does everyone else see when they close their eyes, or when they're in a really dark room? That's when I notice it the most. Does everyone see just black or can do they see loads of minuscule white/multicoloured dots on a black background?

I probably sound like I'm describing something awful but really I don't notice it unless I'm consciously thinking about it, I still see perfectly.

Magnate

Kingp35 wrote: »

Ted Talk about it.

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-are-those-floaty-things-in-your-eye-michael-mauser

That's a different thing altogether, I have visual snow and but get floaters sometimes too.

Schwiiing

I get it a lot if I look at something with a white background eg clouds or Boards with the white skin.

Magnate

Magnate wrote: »

Me neither, I've always wondered about it too.

Although I'm still not certain if I have it or something else. I have great vision but when I consciously think about it and look into space without focusing my eyes on anything, my vision appears "pixilated" but still perfectly clear at the same time if that makes sense.

What does everyone else see when they close their eyes, or when they're in a really dark room? That's when I notice it the most. Does everyone see just black or can do they see loads of minuscule white/multicoloured dots on a black background?

I probably sound like I'm describing something awful but really I don't notice it unless I'm consciously thinking about it, I still see perfectly.

Ah yeah worse in the dark

Aidric

Jaxxy wrote: »

I see visual snow all the time! It's actually a great migraine early warning system for me. I suffer from migraine with aura and about fifteen minutes before the pain hits the snow will intensify.

I'm not sure 'visual snow' is the same as what you are referring to. As others have said they are more dots of bright light on your vision when you get up too quickly for example.

I know when a migraine is coming on it is a different experience, usually with a heavy blurriness in your vision in one eye before spreading to both eyes and then the horrible onset of piercing headache.

Magnate

Aidric wrote: »

I'm not sure 'visual snow' is the same as what you are referring to. As others have said they are more dots of bright light on your vision when you get up too quickly for example.

That's definitely not visual snow, visual snow is a constant 24/7 thing, it may intensify for others before migraines I don't know but getting up too quickly is different, that's just just headrush from low blood pressure.

kfallon

Migraine vision, looks a bit like this, get it often after sport/exercise

http://static.neatorama.com/misscellania/migraine.jpg

MrWalsh

This is quite like what the ocular migraine is like for me although I get it on the right side.

Just googled ocular migraine there as I thought they sounded like what I get but apparently when there's pain it's called an aura migraine. Man they're just the most horrendous thing. I just suddenly cannot see properly and have these spirally things in the corners of my eyes. Nothing feels real. If I don't take medication immediately I end up unable to function from pain. Thankfully I usually recognise it instantly and so just end up with a dull throb/ache.

I've never heard of the snow phenomenon- that's mad.