Double vision causes disorientation, and it can be scary when patients experience it for the first time. Whether it’s a new condition or a more chronic issue, seeing two images of a single object significantly impacts your daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few conditions can cause double vision; some require immediate medical attention. If the double vision is new, your doctor will order tests to determine the cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s look into double vision causes and the potential treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Double vision, also known as diplopia, occurs when a person sees two images of a single object. These images can be side by side (horizontal diplopia), on top of each other (vertical diplopia), or a combination of both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some patients with a high amount of astigmatism will think they have double vision, but they see the smeared, blurred edges of the image and not an actual second image. This secondary image can be corrected with their glasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Double vision can affect one eye (monocular) or both eyes (binocular). Understanding these two types’ differences is essential for a doctor to diagnose and treat diplopia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monocular double vision affects only one eye. When the unaffected eye is closed, the patient will still see double. This diplopia is caused by a problem within the eye itself, such as an issue with the cornea or lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Binocular double vision affects both eyes, but it disappears when one eye is closed. This form is typically due to a misalignment of the eyes; they are not working together properly. Binocular diplopia is often related to issues with the muscles or nerves that control eye movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several factors lead to double vision, from relatively benign causes to more serious medical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monocular double vision usually stems from an issue with the eye’s structures, such as the cornea, lens, or retina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Binocular double vision occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned or coordinated. This form of double vision often has neurological or muscular causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have double vision, you should see an eye doctor, especially if it occurs suddenly or is accompanied by headaches, dizziness, or eye pain. A thorough eye exam will help determine the type of double vision (monocular or binocular) and the underlying double vision causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your eye doctor will use several diagnostic tests, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The treatment for double vision depends on the underlying double vision causes. First, corrective lenses like glasses or contact lenses can be used to treat refractive errors by realigning the light entering the eye. Prism glasses<\/a> may also be used to bend light and compensate for eye misalignment in strabismus or nerve palsy cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, surgery may be necessary for conditions like cataracts, retinal detachment, or eye muscle problems (strabismus). Cataract surgery replaces the clouded lens with a clear artificial one, while eye muscle surgery realigns the eyes to eliminate double vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n