Double vision, also known as diplopia, can significantly impact your daily life. Understanding its causes and treatment options is vital for restoring your vision. Our eye care specialists are dedicated to helping you regain clarity in your sight.
Double vision, or diplopia, is the condition where you perceive two images instead of one when looking at a single object. It can be a temporary and minor inconvenience or a sign of more concerning health issues. Noticing these changes in your vision should prompt you to seek care from our eye doctors as soon as possible.
Diplopia occurs when your eyes and brain are not on the same wavelength. Essentially, your eyes send two mismatched images to the brain, which is normally equipped to combine them into a single picture. The resulting double image can affect depth perception, making everyday activities such as driving, reading, or even walking feel challenging and, at times, potentially unsafe.
Your eye care specialist will distinguish between different types of double vision based on how and when the symptoms appear. This classification is crucial because it can direct the underlying cause and, therefore, the appropriate treatment.
Monocular diplopia is when you see double with one eye, even when the other is closed or covered. Often, this type of double vision is related to structural issues within the eye itself. Some common causes can include a refractive error that isn’t corrected, cataracts that alter the clarity of your vision, or irregularities in the cornea that distort incoming light. In most cases, monocular diplopia is considered less serious compared to its counterpart.
Binocular diplopia, on the other hand, occurs only when both eyes are open. When one eye is closed, the double vision typically resolves itself. This type is commonly associated with misalignment of the eyes—often the result of conditions affecting nerve function, muscles, or other parts of the visual pathway. Since binocular diplopia is usually connected to the way your eyes work together, its occurrence can be more concerning and may warrant a broader evaluation.
If you're experiencing double vision, schedule an appointment with our expert eye doctors today to explore your treatment options.
Another way our eye doctors might classify diplopia is by looking at the orientation of the double images. Some patients notice extra images appearing above or below the true image, known as vertical diplopia. Others see duplicated images side by side, which is classified as horizontal diplopia. This detail, though seemingly small, can provide important clues to the source of the problem.
When you experience double vision, there can be a few accompanying symptoms that further suggest changes in your eye health or even other bodily systems. While the double images themselves are the primary concern, consider any additional discomfort you might be feeling:
If you experience these symptoms in conjunction with double vision, it is important to speak with our eye doctors right away.
If you're experiencing double vision, schedule an appointment with our expert eye doctors today to explore your treatment options.
Double vision, or diplopia, can signal serious health issues. Seek care from our eye doctors to manage your symptoms effectively.
