Visual Snow

[Ashe]

I'm glad that this was posted here. I have to get my eyes/head checked for what may be 'visual snow', as I see things with a fine (extremely fine but still there) grain over them. I may have had it my whole life (I don't know) but I only really noticed it a few months ago while experiencing severe anxiety. The grainyness is always there, and I rarely get headaches (maybe 2 mild ones a year) and no migraines as of yet, so I don't think that what I have is caused by that. Sometimes I don't notice it when I'm intently focusing my attention on something else. I don't really get floaters (other than the dust in my eyes) and sometimes when I see something bright it leaves an afterimage that seems to last longer than it should, but nothing too bad. I should probably mention that for a couple of years now I've had this recurring 'dark spot' just left to the center of my vision in my left eye. I had it for a while and then it went away, but it's been back for the past couple of months due to stress. I visited some eye doctors last year about it, and my eyes are fine. The second doctor I saw told me that she has the same thing, and that it bothers her most when she is tired (I find that is true, since when I'm tired it's the most noticable, but the more rested and relaxed I am it starts to go away). Other than that I forgot what she said it was, since it was a year ago and I don't have the best memory for that stuff.

I also find that the condition isn't painful or harmful in any way, just kinda irritating.

I am so glad that this was mentioned on these forums (what a great site!) as I posted a message about this topic yesterday, without knowing that it was already mentioned here before. Sorry, I'm just really happy to be on these forums.

I find it bothers me the most when I'm tired because I get more anxious then, so if I do something to soothe that then I'm ok. I also tell myself that at least I can see pretty darn well, so I should be happy with what I have since there are people out there who live their lives being blind (it's just a personal pep-talk that seems to get me a lot less anxious, I'm not saying that other people don't have the right to complain or feel irritated because they definately do! It just helps me to feel better). I think my problem is that when I get anxious I get hyper-sensitive to everything around me, whether it be hearing, feelings, sight and sense of touch, etc., so that's why I notice it the most then. I'll be taking anti-anxiety/depressant meds this upcoming week so I'll stay posted with whether or not that changes anything.

I hope that they can figure out how to help you with your vision problem, Amodais. Thankfully we live in an age where every year there are better medical advancements, so I have hope for that!

(P.S., sorry if my post seems kinda long >.<!)

[brennro]

Ashe, how you doing now? I'm from Ottawa as well.