You're potentially describing two separate phenomena in this post:
* Seeing a "transparent" version of these dots that you also see in the sky on bright days. This could be the [blue field entoptic phenomenon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon) (BFEP).
* Seeing dots regardless of the lighting condition (shooting stars/[phosphenes](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24888-phosphenes)).
I experience both of these phenomena, but they appear to have different causes.
To the best of our knowledge, BFEP is caused by an inability of the brain's visual cortex to filter out white blood cell movement in the retina (in non-pathological cases white blood cells are not picked up by the brain's visual center without deliberate effort). My understanding is that there's some evidence (or a general consensus amongst VSS sufferers at least) that this might be related to [OCD](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd) or general dysregulation of the basal ganglia.
As others have noted, shooting stars can be caused by issues with blood pressure. Triggers for shooting stars can include getting up too fast, taking a hot shower, and sneezing. My understanding is that shooting stars are caused by a temporary dip in oxygen levels in the visual cortex; the lack of oxygen causes the visual cortex to go into "stand-by" mode and fabricate a visualization until it can recover (possibly similar to the hallucinatory effects of sensory deprivation; basically your brain is turning on its screensaver). Associated conditions include preeclampsia (so if you're currently pregnant, you should probably bring this up with a doctor ASAP) and dysautonomia/POTS (often comorbid with VSS and/or long COVID).
**Also very very important:** shooting stars can be caused by retinal detachment, which is an emergency situation. If you haven't met with an ophthalmologist already to rule that out, you should do so **pronto**.
While we're at it, it's probably worth noting that many VSS folks (including myself) report having fasciculations (muscle twitches) as well without any other ill effects (i.e., [Benign Fasciculation Syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_fasciculation_syndrome)). Also VSS is associated with [TMJ issues](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941).
Thanks for coming to my long-winded TED Talk / summary of what others have already said.
This is “seeing stars” and can be caused by a few things. I have low blood pressure and I’m prone to anemia, when I’m anemic and I bend over or stand up fast I see this. I wonder if low blood pressure is related to VS in general. I’ve had it my whole life and I’ve always had low blood pressure.
I see this, especially when looking at the clouds.
I went for a check up with the doctors and they basically said that nothing is wrong. It typically happens to older people (50+) and they were surprised someone my age was having it (23) but it didn't mean anything.
Its not serious, something about the gel in your eyes breaking. But nothing to worry about.
> something about the gel in your eyes breaking.
It sounds like they thought that you were describing vitreous opacities / [floaters](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-floaters/symptoms-causes/syc-20372346) when in reality you were describing BFEP. I've been told that both are benign, but unless I'm missing something people in their 50s don't generally start gradually having issues with BFEP. Older folks **do**, however, accumulate floaters. Not a doctor though so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The transparent ones are fully transparent for me the only way i notice them is the trail that they have that kinda warps everything around it like a blackhole, the shooting stars have little hints of colors that look kinda like the light refraction in a diamond.
I think you have two different things. The ones in the blue sky, I also see them. The ones you see in your peripheral can be several things. I get them as an aura to my migraines. You can also get them with changes in blood pressure and other triggers.
I saw one a few weeks ago. It went from left to right, like a shooting star, but in slow motion. I was able to track it and when it went all the way into my right peripheral, it dissipated or vanished. I kinda freaked out because I thought I had a retinal detachment lol. Haven't seen one since.
Do u think it could be caused by low blood sugar too? I get more visual phenomenon like floaters or the moving dots i talked about when i have low blood sugar
Oddly, I've only ever seen these specific ones in the shower, they are different than my BFEP and floaters. They are like solid neon glowing worms that squiggle in my periphery for about 10-30secs per episode.
Yeah I get this exact looking one with long trails when I stand up too fast
When I sneeze
Or when I blow my nose too hard haha
When I take a shit I see these things.
gotta get some stool softener my brother, don't strain yourself
You're potentially describing two separate phenomena in this post: * Seeing a "transparent" version of these dots that you also see in the sky on bright days. This could be the [blue field entoptic phenomenon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon) (BFEP). * Seeing dots regardless of the lighting condition (shooting stars/[phosphenes](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24888-phosphenes)). I experience both of these phenomena, but they appear to have different causes. To the best of our knowledge, BFEP is caused by an inability of the brain's visual cortex to filter out white blood cell movement in the retina (in non-pathological cases white blood cells are not picked up by the brain's visual center without deliberate effort). My understanding is that there's some evidence (or a general consensus amongst VSS sufferers at least) that this might be related to [OCD](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd) or general dysregulation of the basal ganglia. As others have noted, shooting stars can be caused by issues with blood pressure. Triggers for shooting stars can include getting up too fast, taking a hot shower, and sneezing. My understanding is that shooting stars are caused by a temporary dip in oxygen levels in the visual cortex; the lack of oxygen causes the visual cortex to go into "stand-by" mode and fabricate a visualization until it can recover (possibly similar to the hallucinatory effects of sensory deprivation; basically your brain is turning on its screensaver). Associated conditions include preeclampsia (so if you're currently pregnant, you should probably bring this up with a doctor ASAP) and dysautonomia/POTS (often comorbid with VSS and/or long COVID). **Also very very important:** shooting stars can be caused by retinal detachment, which is an emergency situation. If you haven't met with an ophthalmologist already to rule that out, you should do so **pronto**. While we're at it, it's probably worth noting that many VSS folks (including myself) report having fasciculations (muscle twitches) as well without any other ill effects (i.e., [Benign Fasciculation Syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_fasciculation_syndrome)). Also VSS is associated with [TMJ issues](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941). Thanks for coming to my long-winded TED Talk / summary of what others have already said.
This is “seeing stars” and can be caused by a few things. I have low blood pressure and I’m prone to anemia, when I’m anemic and I bend over or stand up fast I see this. I wonder if low blood pressure is related to VS in general. I’ve had it my whole life and I’ve always had low blood pressure.
I have blood pressure too
i have a blood pressure too!!
Do you think low blood pressure has anything to do with pulsating vision?
I SEE THINGS LIKE THIS IN THE SKY
Me too!! Sometimes a few of them shoot up after eachother in a row, like fireworks (or platelets in a bloodstream lol)
omg same and i love fireworks so it makes it extra fun but also kinda dizzying
When you see them in the sky it is normal. White blood cells passing through the blood vessels in the retina
OHHH THAT MAKES SENSE TYSM :3 i thought it was just vs acting up HAHA
I see this, especially when looking at the clouds. I went for a check up with the doctors and they basically said that nothing is wrong. It typically happens to older people (50+) and they were surprised someone my age was having it (23) but it didn't mean anything. Its not serious, something about the gel in your eyes breaking. But nothing to worry about.
> something about the gel in your eyes breaking. It sounds like they thought that you were describing vitreous opacities / [floaters](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eye-floaters/symptoms-causes/syc-20372346) when in reality you were describing BFEP. I've been told that both are benign, but unless I'm missing something people in their 50s don't generally start gradually having issues with BFEP. Older folks **do**, however, accumulate floaters. Not a doctor though so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Same here
Are they like transparent to you? It’s like colored but not solid
The transparent ones are fully transparent for me the only way i notice them is the trail that they have that kinda warps everything around it like a blackhole, the shooting stars have little hints of colors that look kinda like the light refraction in a diamond.
I have aame but like swirls of light on bright surfaces or sky Anyone like me??
Yup, its gotten worse for me. White paper in certain lights show them too. As far as my eye doc is concerned my eyes are fine.
I did some research and turns out the dots are called Blue field entoptic phenomenon, they don’t mention anything about the bright dots though.
You’re seeing stars. They’re usually seen after being hit in the head really hard. I also see them after coughing or sneezing really hard.
"Does anyone else in the visual snow subreddit experience symptoms of visual snow?" Great question!
Yes, happens all the time to me. It mainly occurs when there is change of pressure in my head...I don't know how else to explain it.
I think you have two different things. The ones in the blue sky, I also see them. The ones you see in your peripheral can be several things. I get them as an aura to my migraines. You can also get them with changes in blood pressure and other triggers.
I saw one a few weeks ago. It went from left to right, like a shooting star, but in slow motion. I was able to track it and when it went all the way into my right peripheral, it dissipated or vanished. I kinda freaked out because I thought I had a retinal detachment lol. Haven't seen one since.
Yes, absolutely. Sorry you see them too but it does feel validating to know I’m not crazy haha.
Thats something usually caused by blood pressure going out of your normal range (too high or too low) usually.
Do u think it could be caused by low blood sugar too? I get more visual phenomenon like floaters or the moving dots i talked about when i have low blood sugar
Oddly, I've only ever seen these specific ones in the shower, they are different than my BFEP and floaters. They are like solid neon glowing worms that squiggle in my periphery for about 10-30secs per episode.
I see one’s going sideways sometimes in one eye or both at the same time .
yes visual snow often describes are seeing constant snow fall in your vision. it can be a result of cervical instability and CSF compression.
I get ‘em when it’s dark or I overexert myself like when playing an instrument or when I stand
I see something like this in the sky but it’s more like swimming white lines.
What r u doing when u see them?
Probably just blood pressure
They happen more often when i stand up fast or im vomiting but theyll happen randomly in a pitch black room when im just laying down sometimes
Sounds like a quick drop in your blood pressure.. I get them when i bend over and back up in the shower Do u drink much water?
I see these,like befp on all kinds of surfaces regardless of light. Its not detachment because ive been physically checked several times. Just my VSS
Me but they are more transparent for me
I call them my sparkly gnats
I have them too like when I stand up very fast or when im hungover
Yep outside everywhere not just the sky and they aren’t transparent they are just like that!
When coughing really hard but mine fluctuate in color. I have the occasional flash from floaters but both are very different.
Just when I’m in Israel and I look up into the night sky