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I think the categories are interesting but I would say that they probably break down a bit differently. I would say that I used to be in group 2 with static as the only thing I saw and then later went on to see some afterimages and mild trails in the right lighting scenarios. I do think resolution requires "dynamiting" your way out of a current status quo state that your body has defined as the new normal. What's interesting is that if you look at the wikipedia (not that that's the gospel) information on Tinnitus (which I believe is a related condition), there is significant discussion getting the body out of a persistent "flight or fight" anxiety state.

Personally, (with NO scientific evidence); I believe that the problem is ultimately a weird combination of neurological problem coupled with a vascular issue. Most of the neuro-vascular fellows you interact with tell you that afterimages are associated with circulatory issues (which could develop or be there from birth). Migraine has a vasospatic element to it. Serotonin (which LSD mimics) has a vasoregulatory property to it. So, it seems that where the common threads are. It seems the categories go along where the defect in the system likely happens. But, given we don't even fully know what the defect is...it's hard to categorize. That being said, if someone were to ask my opinion as to what going on, I'd say it's either (or combination of) one of two things:

1. there is poor regulation of ion flow across cell walls such that too much of either sodium, potasium, or calcium ions are flowing across (mostly likely the calcium channel) such that cells become hyperexcitable. this could happen due to excess glutamate activity or a change in the receptor population or cANP process.

2. there is a straigtout vasoconstrictive event restricting blood flow to cells such that they become hyperexcitable.

It would seem that peoples' reactions to the various available medications would reveal something about the various causes of this fundamental hyperexcitability (which I believe is the common thread here). The challenge here is that so few drugs are well understood in terms of their actions. I think it's pretty interesting that calcium channel blockers have helped a number of people...interestingly, migraine seems to be some bizarre combination of neurological event and vasospasm...

Neurologically specific calcium channel blockers such as nimodipine should reduce both ion flow and open up vasculature...it would be interesting to see what people's results have been on this type of drug.

Klonpin and family enhance the GABA activity and reduce the level of hyperexcitability in the brain. I know many people do see a benefit from this calls of drugs. That being said, my guess is that this is a temporary fix to address immediate symptoms verus correct any underlying problem.

Lamital impacts the sodium channel and also decreases glutamate activity. As such it should also decrease hyperexcitability...although like Klonopin it may or may not be addressing the underlying problem.

It would be interesting to see if there is a pattern that can be detected pharmacologically to determine the various possible causes and hence categories of our uneviable condition...