Double Vision: Why Does It Occur?

Being able to see a single, clear image when you open your eyes is something most people take for granted. This seemingly automatic process is dependent on the seamless operation and coordination of many areas of the visual system. Also known as diplopia, double vision occurs when a patient sees two copies of the same image. This can lead to many symptoms, including dizziness and nausea.

The experts at the Neuro Visual Center of New York are specially trained to treat double vision symptoms and other issues that result from binocular vision dysfunction (BVD). In order to better understand how double vision can occur, let’s expand a little more on its causes and possible remedies.

What Causes Double Vision?

Double vision occurs in one of two forms: monocular or binocular. In monocular diplopia, the double vision is only in one eye. With binocular diplopia, however, the patient sees double only if both eyes are open.

Temporary bouts of double vision can occur for various reasons, including fatigue or excessive alcohol intake. This type of double vision is usually not a cause for worry. However, if the diplopia persists for an extended period of time or keeps returning, the reasons for this could include:

• Stroke, head or brain injuries. Any of these occurrences can cause double vision to manifest suddenly. In these instances, it’s important to get a proper eye exam, after which the doctor may refer you to a neurologist or neurosurgeon for more testing and treatment.

• Corneal irregularities. Conditions such as keratoconus (cone-shaped corneas) and corneal dystrophies (deterioration of the corneal structure) can cause you to have monocular diplopia.

• Dry eyes. Eye diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome can cause blurred or ghost images due to inadequate or poor-quality tears.

• Cataracts. This condition clouds the eye’s natural lens behind the pupil, causing light rays to scatter in different directions. As a result, a patient may see multiple partial images, especially when looking at lights.

• Cranial nerve palsies. The muscles that control the positioning and teaming of the eyes can become paralyzed due to cranial nerve palsy. This can cause blurred vision or double vision in patients.

Double Vision Treatment

If you suffer from diplopia, the appropriate treatment will depend entirely on which type you have and what’s causing it. Treatment for double vision can include surgery or prescription medications, though here at the Neuro Visual Center of New York, our treatment methods focus on the use of aligning prismatic lenses.

If double vision is interfering with your everyday life, schedule an appointment today by calling us at (516) 224-4888. We’ll perform a thorough neurovisual examination to determine the cause of your double vision symptoms and come up with an effective treatment plan customized just for you.