I am one of many people around the world suffering from visual snow syndrome, a debilitating disease that significantly affects our quality of life. The disorder is characterized by constant visual disturbances described as "static" vision, similar to the image of an old, tuned-out television. It's not just the vision; the syndrome is often accompanied by other worrisome symptoms, such as migraines, tinnitus and light sensitivity, photopsia, nyctalopia, halos, star busts, positive afterimages, negative afterimages, entopian blue field phenomena, torment in the eye, double vision, visual distortions, susceptibility to sensory overload (the brain receives more sensory input than it can handle, triggering a "run or fight" response), anxiety, depression, depersonalization (feelings of separation from oneself), brain fogginess and disorientation, dizziness, nausea, paresthesia ( a tingling sensation, usually in the arms, hands, legs and feet), insomnia and other sleep-related problems, sensory disturbances (such as "brain thumps" or a feeling of electric shock), sensory hypersensitivity/sensitivity (sensitivity to stimuli such as images and sounds).

When my symptoms first began to appear, I was shocked and anxious at the same time. I didn't know what was happening to me. It started with afterimages of every thing I looked at, and the afterimages were copies of the original. For me, it was the worst experience I had ever had in my life. I couldn't control my vision. I didn't know what was going to happen to me next. I had no idea what was happening. I didn't know it was a neurological disease. 

Then, after a few days, there was optical snow, tinnitus, tingling, entoptic blue field phenomenon, photophobia, halo, starbust, tingling in the head and limbs, numbness, facial stiffness, feeling of electric shock on the head and many other symptoms. I felt worse and worse mentally because I was experiencing so many serious symptoms overnight. I decided that I would find out something on the Internet. There I came across the website of the Visual Snow Initiative Foundation, and it turned out that everything described there agreed. I was heartbroken. I still am, but I still have hope for treatment. I learned that there are many people suffering from what I am. Only together can we make a difference. We deserve more research! Sight is one of the most important organs and we must fight for normal sight and a normal life without debilitating symptoms. I would like to send this petition to the University who might take an interest in our disease and help us research Visual Snow Syndrome.

Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is a neurological disorder that affects vision, hearing, cognitive function, sensory processing and quality of life. The hallmark of VSS is visual snow vision, which can be described as static, flickering dots and flashing lights 24/7 (with eyes open and closed). Some describe it as trying to see in the middle of a snowstorm or through an unstable snowball. VSS is more than just visual observation of snow. VSS sufferers often experience a range of debilitating visual and non-visual symptoms. VSS symptoms affect an estimated 2-3% of the world's population. 

Despite the tremendous impact of this disease on the lives of patients, there is limited research on the pathophysiology of the disease and potential treatments. Lack of awareness among medical personnel often leads to misdiagnosis or disregarding our symptoms as psychological.

According to a study published in the Journal of Neuro-Ophtalmology (2014), it was estimated that 2-3% of the population may suffer from this syndrome. However, due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the condition among both the public and health professionals, many cases may remain undiagnosed.

We call for increased funding for research into visual snow syndrome and more education in the medical community about its existence and impact on patients' lives. We believe that with more interest from researchers and doctors in studying the pathophysiology of this disease, we can make significant progress toward finding effective treatment options.

If you believe in supporting those suffering from visual snow syndrome, please sign our petition - your signature can make a world of difference and bring us closer to a better understanding of this complex disease.

Thank you to the Visual Snow Initiative Foundation for sharing the petition on their social media.