Double

Double Vision
Synonyms	Diplopia
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Seeing two images of a single object
Complications	Eye strain, headaches
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Strabismus, Cataract, Stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Graves' disease
Risks	Diabetes, Hypertension, Head injury
Diagnosis	Eye examination, Neurological examination, Imaging studies
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corrective lenses, Surgery, Prism glasses, Botulinum toxin
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Double vision, also known as diplopia, is a condition where a person perceives two images of a single object. This can occur in one eye (monocular diplopia) or both eyes (binocular diplopia).

Causes

Double vision can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Strabismus: A misalignment of the eyes, which can lead to double vision.
• Cataract: Clouding of the lens of the eye, which can cause visual disturbances.
• Stroke: A sudden interruption of blood supply to the brain, potentially affecting the nerves controlling eye movement.
• Multiple sclerosis: A disease that affects the central nervous system, potentially impacting vision.
• Graves' disease: An autoimmune disorder that can cause swelling of the eye muscles.

Risk Factors

Certain factors may increase the risk of developing double vision, such as:

• Diabetes: Can lead to nerve damage affecting eye muscles.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure can affect blood vessels in the eyes.
• Head injury: Trauma to the head can damage the nerves or muscles controlling eye movement.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing double vision involves a comprehensive eye examination and may include:

• Neurological examination: To assess the function of the nerves controlling eye movement.
• Imaging studies: Such as MRI or CT scan to identify any structural causes.

Treatment

Treatment for double vision depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Corrective lenses: Glasses or contact lenses to help align the images.
• Surgery: To correct muscle alignment in cases of strabismus.
• Prism glasses: Special lenses that can help align the images seen by each eye.
• Botulinum toxin: Injections to temporarily weaken overactive eye muscles.

See Also

• Vision disorder
• Ophthalmology
• Visual perception

External Links

• American Academy of Ophthalmology - Diplopia
• Mayo Clinic - Double Vision