What Is Visual Snow Syndrome After a TBI?

In the weeks following a head injury, vision doesn't always return to normal. For some, it feels like a film of flickering dots covers everything they look at. Lights may leave streaks that linger, and reading or focusing on a screen can take more effort than before.

This condition is known as Visual Snow Syndrome, and it can appear when a traumatic brain injury disrupts the brain's visual system.

To learn more about your legal options after a traumatic brain injury, contact the Brain Injury Law Center at (757) 244-7000 or send us a message online.

What Is Visual Snow Syndrome?

Visual Snow Syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by a visual disturbance that resembles a television screen with moving static, similar to an old television screen tuned to the wrong channel. Unlike vision problems caused by damage to the eyes themselves, this condition develops when the brain misinterprets information from the eyes.

After a traumatic brain injury, changes in the visual cortex and its surrounding pathways can disrupt the transmission and interpretation of signals. Swelling, reduced blood flow, or chemical imbalances within the brain can overstimulate neurons in the areas responsible for sight. This overactivity creates constant "noise" in the visual field, which appears as snow, trailing lights, or shimmering dots that never fully dissipate.

For those living with Visual Snow Syndrome after a TBI, ordinary activities like reading, watching television, or driving can become draining. The eyes themselves may be healthy, yet the brain's altered processing turns clear vision into static.

Symptoms Linked to Visual Snow Syndrome

People living with this condition describe their vision as if static is constantly layered over everything they see. The visual field looks busy and unsettled, filled with shifting dots that never fade.

Other experiences can include: 

• Ghosting or trailing images, where objects leave faint duplicates as they move;
• Heightened light sensitivity, especially with screens, headlights, or bright indoor bulbs;
• Flashes of color or shapes that appear without an external source;
• Halos and glare at night, making driving particularly difficult; and 
• Visual fatigue, where focusing on reading material, patterns, or crowded spaces becomes exhausting. 

When visual snow develops after a TBI, it often appears alongside issues like headaches, dizziness, or concussion-related symptoms. Light sensitivity may worsen head pain, while the static effect can intensify episodes of dizziness.

If visual snow began after your brain injury, it may be part of a legal claim. Contact the Brain Injury Law Center at (757) 244-7000 or reach out to us online to learn how we can assist with your case.

What Causes Visual Snow After a TBI?

Visual Snow Syndrome can develop when traumatic brain injuries disrupt the delicate neural networks responsible for processing vision. These injuries commonly occur in accidents where the brain is jolted, shaken, or struck with significant force.

• Motor Vehicle Accidents are among the leading causes of TBI-related visual snow. Car crashes, truck collisions, and motorcycle accidents can cause the brain to slam against the skull, damaging the visual cortex and related pathways. Even seemingly minor fender-benders can generate enough force to alter how the brain processes visual information.‍
• Medical Malpractice may also lead to visual snow when surgical errors, delayed diagnosis, or inadequate monitoring result in brain injury. Complications during procedures, medication errors, or failure to recognize signs of brain swelling can damage the areas that control vision.‍
• Slip and Fall Accidents frequently cause head trauma that affects visual processing. When someone falls on poorly maintained property, in inadequate lighting, or hazardous conditions, the resulting head impact can trigger the neurological changes that lead to visual snow.‍
• Sports-Related Concussions have become increasingly recognized as a source of lasting visual problems. Football, soccer, hockey, and other contact sports can cause repeated impacts that accumulate over time, eventually disrupting the brain's ability to process visual signals normally.

When these injuries result from someone else's negligence, such as a distracted driver, unsafe property conditions, or a sports organization that fails to follow safety protocols, legal action may be necessary to secure compensation for ongoing treatment and the reduced quality of life.

What Is the Treatment for Visual Snow Syndrome? 

There is no single cure for Visual Snow Syndrome, but doctors may recommend approaches aimed at reducing the intensity of symptoms and improving day-to-day function.

Because the condition is linked to how the brain processes signals, Visual Snow Syndrome treatment usually focuses on managing neurological activity and easing strain on the visual system.

Options that may be discussed include:

• Medication trials: Certain migraine or anti-seizure drugs are sometimes prescribed to calm overactive brain pathways.
• Vision therapy: Exercises designed by neuro-optometrists may help improve visual comfort and coping strategies.
• Tinted lenses or filters: Special glasses can reduce glare, halos, or sensitivity to bright lights.
• Lifestyle adjustments: Structured sleep, hydration, reduced screen time, and limiting fluorescent or LED light exposure can help lessen flare-ups.
• Mental health support: Counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy may help with the stress and anxiety caused by persistent visual symptoms.

While results vary, these treatments show that progress is possible. Early medical evaluation is critical, as documenting Visual Snow Syndrome symptoms creates a clearer record of how the condition has impacted your life. That record can also support a legal claim when another person's negligence caused the accident.

Brain Injury Law Center Can Help

Visual Snow Syndrome affects your ability to work, drive, and enjoy life as you did before your injury. When this condition results from someone else's negligence, legal compensation can help cover the costs of ongoing treatment and support.

The Brain Injury Law Center has exclusively handled traumatic brain injury cases for 75 years, recovering over $1 billion for clients across the country.

Contact us at (757) 244-7000 or online to discuss your case.