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Ojas Eye Hospital in Bandra, Kandivali, Mumbai

Double vision

February 4, 2021

To have normal vision, the eyes apparatus, eye muscles and nerves that send signals to the brain  need to function in harmony with the brain. Any problem to these components may lead to double vision, where you see two images instead of one, also known as Diplopia. 

Double vision can be monocular or binocular. It can be horizontal (images appear side by side) or vertical (one image appears above the other).

Double vision symptoms

  • Pain and eye strain around the eyes, such as in the temples or eyebrows
  • Droopy eyelids
  • Misalignment of one or both eyes, such as crossed eyes or a “wandering” eye
  • Weakness in the eyes muscles
  • Pain with eye movements in one or both eyes

Monocular Double vision

Monocular Double vision is less common than Binocular double vision and occurs due to a problem in one eye only. In Monocular Diplopia, one of the images is very clear, while the other is faded or washed out.

Causes

Cataract – With age, like other degenerative changes in the body, eyes also undergo certain changes like protein clumping within the lens of the eye. The Natural lens of the eye is normally clear, but cataract causes it to become cloudy and foggy over time. This can lead to vision problems, including double vision.

Dry eye – Our eyes produce lubricating fluids, to make blinking or eye movements more comfortable. Dry eyes leads to stinging, itching resulting in vision problems.

Corneal shape changes (keratoconus) – This eyesight problem occurs when the clear lining of cornea begins to grow thin and develop a cone-shaped bulge. This bulge can cause double vision.

Astigmatism – It occurs due to Irregular shape and curvature of the eye. It often leads to blurred and double vision.

Pterygium – It is a rare condition, where conjunctival growth covers the cornea and leads to diplopia.

Binocular Double vision

To differentiate Binocular with monocular diplopia, a simple test is done; if double image disappears after covering one eye, it is usually a case of Binocular Diplopia. In this case both are images are clear. Binocular Double vision is the result of any cause affecting the extra ocular muscles of the eye.

Causes

Diabetes – Diabetic retinopathy causes nerve damage and leads to double vision.

Myasthenia gravis – It is an immunological disease and causes disruption between neural and muscular communication. Muscle fatigue is developed throughout the body including eye and leads to double vision.

Cranial nerve palsy – Sometimes cranial nerves become paralyzed and it may develop double vision.

Nerve damage – In case of head trauma, infection, stroke, brain tumour, nerves controlling the eye movements may get damaged and lead to diplopia.

Strabismus (crossed eyes) – It is a condition affecting four percent of children and usually affects alignment of the eyes. The muscles of the eyes have trouble working together. It leads to a variety of vision problems like double vision and can cause permanent vision loss.

Is Double vision treatable?

Treatment of double vision varies from patient to patient, depending on the cause and type of diplopia. Once the underlying cause is identified by comprehensive eye examination, vision issues go away with the right treatment modality.

Common treatment available for diplopia are:

Eye exercises: Like other muscles of the body, our eye muscles can go weak, eye doctor can help you with eye muscle strengthening. They teach you with “exercises” that can help you regain eye muscle strength.

Corrective lenses: Eyeglasses or special lenses may correct the vision problem.

Eye patch or cover: Although it is not a long term solution, yet covering one eye may stop the double vision. An eye cover can help manage double vision until there is a more permanent solution.

Surgery: Issues like cataract or other eye problems need surgery at some point. Double vision goes away with the corrective procedure.

To learn more about eye problems and help you to decide for eye treatment, please call us for appointment at (+91) 9137462795 and meet our experts at Ojas Eye Hospital In Mumbai Bandra /Kandivali  Phone no 61549999/26405951/ 288699999.

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