Double vision

Double vision or diplopia refers to the perception of two images of a single object. This condition can be either monocular (affecting one eye) or binocular (affecting both eyes). Double vision can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including strabismus, cataracts, and multiple sclerosis.

Causes

Double vision can be caused by several different conditions, including:

• Strabismus: This is a misalignment of the eyes, which can cause double vision. It is most commonly seen in children, but can also occur in adults.
• Cataracts: These are cloudy areas in the eye's lens, which can cause blurred or double vision.
• Multiple sclerosis: This is a disease of the nervous system that can cause a variety of symptoms, including double vision.
• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves in the eyes, leading to double vision.
• Stroke: A stroke can damage the nerves that control the muscles of the eyes, leading to double vision.

Symptoms

The main symptom of double vision is seeing two images of a single object. Other symptoms can include:

• Nausea: This can be caused by the disorientation and confusion that double vision can cause.
• Headaches: These can be caused by the strain of trying to focus on images with double vision.
• Dizziness: This can be caused by the disorientation and confusion that double vision can cause.

Treatment

Treatment for double vision depends on the underlying cause. Some possible treatments include:

• Eye exercises: These can help to strengthen the muscles of the eyes and improve coordination.
• Surgery: This may be necessary in cases where the double vision is caused by a physical problem with the eyes, such as strabismus or cataracts.
• Medication: This can help to manage symptoms in cases where the double vision is caused by a disease such as multiple sclerosis or diabetes.

See also

• Blurred vision
• Vision problems
• Eye health

Double vision Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.