Why double vision and what to do about it
Miscellaneous / / May 29, 2022
Even if the symptoms pass quickly, a doctor will need to be seen.
Double vision, or diplopia, is a condition in which a person sees two images of the same object. It may affect one eye or both.
Most often, the symptoms do not last long, but they can still indicate serious illnesses. Therefore, if you notice double vision, consult an ophthalmologist.
Why is double in one eye or in each
This condition is called monocular diplopia. She is arisesDouble vision / MSD Manualswhen something interferes with the passage of light to retina. In this case, there can be even more than two images, and one will be of normal color and normal clarity, and the rest will be worse.
Double vision in one eye meetsDiplopia (Double Vision) / Cleveland Clinic more often, and usually less severe.
dry eye syndrome
When tears do not wash the eyeball enough, appearsDry Eyes / Cleveland Clinicdryness. And along with it there is pain, burning sensation, it seems as if sand has got into the eyes, vision becomes fuzzy.
Changing the shape of the cornea
The cornea is the outer shell of the eye. It helps the organ to focus light in order to see. To shape changes relateDiplopia / MSD Manuals irregularities and keratoconus thinningKeratoconus / Mayo Clinic and protrusion in the form of a cone.
Rarely, there are scars on the cornea. They also cause double vision.
Astigmatism
This disease is also relatedAstigmatism / Cleveland Clinic with a change in the shape of the cornea. Astigmatism almost every person has it, but usually of a mild degree. Because of it, vision becomes fuzzy, it can double in the eyes.
People with astigmatism wear lenses or glasses, and laser vision correction can sometimes help them.
Cataract
This is a disease in which the transparent lens inside the eye becomesCataracts / Cleveland Clinic cloudy. It acts as a lens that refracts light so that the brain can perceive the image. In most cases cataract begins after age 40, but symptoms usually appear after age 60.
Cataracts can affect both eyes, but at different rates. So it's still monocular diplopia.
Because of the cataract, vision deteriorates and new glasses or lenses may be needed. The more it progresses, the more likely it is that an ophthalmologist will recommend surgery.
Lens displacement
This is very rare. But when the position of the lens changes, also maybeDiplopia / MSD Manuals double in one eye.
Why is double in both eyes together
Normal pictures from each eye brain perceivesDouble vision / MSD Manuals as a whole. For this to work, the organs of vision must work in concert. This is called a friendly (or combined) movement.
If the mechanism is broken, the person sees two images instead of one. Sometimes it is noticeable only in the extreme position of the eyes: when looking up, down, or far left and right.
Paralysis of cranial nerves
Most common movement violatedDiplopia / MSD Manuals due to paralysis of the III, IV or VI pair of cranial nerves that control the external muscles of the eye. The problem can be caused by diseases or unknown causes (such paralysis is called idiopathic). Sometimes a person feels pain, sometimes there are no symptoms.
Neuromuscular Transmission Disorders
Such as botulismBotulism / Mayo Clinic, syndrome Guillain - BarreGuillain‑Barre syndrome / Mayo Clinic and myasthenia gravisMyasthenia gravis / Mayo Clinic. Because of these disorders, severe fatigue and weakness occur. If the manifestations are associated with the muscles of the face, then the voice becomes nasal, speech is fuzzy, there are difficulties with chewing and swallowing, lowered eyelids and double vision.
Inflammatory diseases of the eye
Some diseases affect the soft tissues and muscles of the eye socket. For example, in autoimmune thyroiditis, these structures increaseE. Shahli, K. Gunduz. Thyroid‑associated Ophthalmopathy / Turkish journal of ophthalmology in volume. From the side it seems that the person bulged his eyes. Against the background of these changes, the combined movement is disturbed and the effect of doubling occurs.
Mechanical obstruction to the movement of the eyeballs
Anything that physically interferes with the eye violatesDouble vision / MSD Manuals coordination and causes diplopia. This can happen due to the infringement of the muscles due to the fracture of the bones of the orbit.
How double vision can hurt
It causesDiplopia (Double Vision) / Cleveland Clinic discomfort, reduces depth perception, makes walking and driving difficult.
The good news is that in 90% of cases, diplopia is temporary and has no long-term or serious health consequences.
When to call an ambulance
callDouble vision / MSD Manuals call 103 or 112 if you notice:
- double vision in both eyes;
- pain in the eye;
- protrusion of the eye - proptosis;
- any additional symptoms that may indicate disorders in the nervous system (for example, weakness or paralysis, loss of sensitivity, language and speech problems, dizziness, headache, trouble swallowing or walking, unsteady gait, incontinence urine).
You also need emergency care for any head or eye injuries.
When to See a Doctor
Necessarily consultDiplopia (Double Vision) / Cleveland Clinic an ophthalmologist for any changes in vision. Even if the double vision quickly passed, you need to find the cause. Don't wait until symptoms get worse to have your vision checked.
How to treat diplopia
Ophthalmologist will pick upDouble vision/NHS therapy as soon as he finds out what caused the double vision. New ones may be needed lenses or glasses, and sometimes you will need to consult other specialists and complex treatment, possibly even surgery.
How to prevent double vision
No one is immune from diplopia, but regular eye care and eye exams are the best ways to avoid serious complications.
Here are some tips to saveDiplopia (Double Vision) / Cleveland Clinic eye health:
- Do not smoke.
- Let your eyes rest from screens during the day.
- Wear safety goggles while working or playing sports.
- Have your eyes checked at least every two years, or as recommended by your doctor.
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