Double Vision

Double vision is usually a temporary problem, and it also can be a sign of a serious health issue, and it’s a very common problem.

Double vision

Double vision, or diplopia, makes a person see two of one thing. Although it’s a temporary problem, it can indicate a more serious health condition. The image may look vertical or horizontal depending on where the doubled images manifest in the vision.

There are two types of double vision:

• Monocular diplopia: it occurs even with one eye, and the other eye is closed or covered.
• Binocular diplopia: it occurs when both eyes are open and disappears when closing or covering one eye.

Causes and risk factors of double vision

• Nearsightedness.
• Farsightedness.
• Astigmatism.
• Dry eye.
• Cataracts.
• Bulging eyes.
• Keratoconus.
• Glasses or contacts that aren’t fitted properly.
• Problems in the iris.
• Cranial nerve problems.
• Migraines.
• Head traumas.
• The risk of seeing double increases due to the following factors: strokes, brain aneurysms, vertigo, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, diabetes, vitamin B1 deficiency, and thyroid disease.

Symptoms of double vision

• Seeing double.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Eye pain.
• Nausea.

Diagnosis of double vision

Eye exam.

Imaging tests.

Blood tests.

Treatment of double vision

• Treating double vision depends on the cause.
• The risk of diplopia can be reduced by taking care of the eye, taking breaks while looking at electronic screens, avoiding smoking, and doing regular eye exams.