What is visual snow syndrome? Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may have discussed the rare disorder on an old chat forum.
Most people experiencing visual snow syndrome continuously see tiny, snow-like flecks in their vision — even when their eyes are closed.
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- Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger may have said in an online forum he had visual snow syndrome.
- It is a rare disorder first described in 1995 that impacts up to 2% of the population.
- Studies suggest depression, anxiety, and poor sleep can be common side effects.
Bryan Kohberger, the University of Idaho murder suspect, may have said he experienced a strange visual anomaly in an online forum when he was a teenager.
In a series of posts on a forum called Tapatalk in 2011, the user Exarr.thosewithvisualsnow wrote about having a condition called visual snow. The photo associated with the username resembles Kohberger. Newsweek reported that Lauren Matthias, host of a true crime podcast, said on NewsNation that she and her team had linked the account to an email account of Kohberger's.
Kohberger's attorney didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment inquiring whether the Tapatalk account was Kohberger and whether Kohberger has visual snow.
In a July 2011 post, Exarr.thosewithvisualsnow wrote: "It is as if the ringing in my ears and the fuzz in my vision is simply all of the demons in my head mocking me."
Kohberger, now 28, is charged with four counts of murder and a count of burglary in the killings of four University of Idaho students on November 13. He has not yet entered a plea in the case.
What is visual snow syndrome?
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Visual snow syndrome is a little-known neurological disorder that scientists first recognized in 1995.
Most people experiencing it continuously see tiny, snow-like flecks in their vision, as if the world in front of them is a badly tuned old TV set. The dots are usually black and white, though they can also sometimes be transparent.
That static-like vision — which remains even with their eyes closed — can be debilitating to some, affecting their capacity to work and complete school.
How is visual snow syndrome diagnosed and treated?
Visual snow syndrome is usually diagnosed based on the symptoms people report, after excluding other conditions that might cause them.
Aside from the visual static, the National Institutes of Health says people experiencing visual snow syndrome may also deal with sensitivity to light, migraines, and ringing or buzzing in the ears — as the Tapatalk user reported.
Studies suggest depression, anxiety, and poor sleep can be common side effects to visual snow syndrome.
The condition impacts up to 2% of the world population, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because it's so rare, researchers are only now beginning to understand it.
Experts aren't sure about the cause of the disorder, but a 2022 review suggests that visual processing centers in the brain could play a role. Other studies suggest people with a brain injury are more likely to develop visual snow syndrome.
A 2020 survey of 1,100 people found that the average age of people experiencing visual snow syndrome was 29, and nearly 40% of those surveyed said they've had symptoms "for as long as they could remember."
The condition doesn't seem to get worse over time. Still, there is currently no cure for visual snow syndrome.
One study suggested a medication used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder worked for some patients with visual snow. Wearing orange-tinted glasses may also provide some relief.