Two US-based optometrists will present their new scientifically proven treatment for Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) to Australian optometrists at the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists conference in Sydney this weekend.
Dr Charles Shidlofsky and Dr Terry Tsang, who are associates of the Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) that was founded to provide resources and hope to sufferers, will discuss the treatment now published in the medical journal Frontiers in Neurology.
While it is not a cure for the syndrome, and medications do not work for many sufferers, it is said to be the first physical treatment that has dramatically reduced the symptoms for all those involved in the research, results which have lasted for more than a year.
Mr Steve Leslie, optometrist and executive director at Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO), said the treatment can improve vision in six weeks.
“This treatment involves an hour a week of vision therapy with an experienced and VSI-accredited optometrist, together with at-home vision activities completed on five days of the week for twelve weeks,” he said.
“While it is not a cure, it is the only known treatment to date for symptoms of the syndrome and can go a long way to reducing the snowy vision symptoms of the one in 50 Australians who suffer from Visual Snow Syndrome, and the improvements can be felt in as little as six weeks.”
He continued: “While many people with visual snow cope without major interference to their lives, many sufferers can find it problematic to drive, read, use a phone or computer, or simply leave their house to enjoy nature or to catch up with friends at night. For some people, it can affect mental health and interfere with their success at school or work.”
Leslie said people who think they may have VSS should book a comprehensive examination with a VSI-accredited optometrist who has advanced education and experience in visual snow, to determine if they have visual snow or another similar condition, and to discuss the options for treatment.
“They can find an optometrist in their area by visiting www.acbo.com.au.”
Visual Snow Syndrome was first described in 1995, but only named in 2013. Affecting half a million Australians, the condition dramatically impairs vision in about one in 50 people. Sufferers typically see the world in black and white or coloured dots – much like they are watching a snowy TV screen – or have excessive floaters, have significant discomfort in bright light, and impaired night vision.
Other symptoms can be non-visual, ranging from ringing in the ears, dizziness and tingling body parts, to even feeling detached from yourself, and sleep disorders.
Some sufferers who are born with the syndrome may presume their vision is normal. For others, it has occurred later in life after suffering trauma, illness or a reaction to medication. Many sufferers have been subjected to years of testing for illnesses they have not had, or told they just have to live with it.
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