Diplopia - Symptom


This is the medical term for double vision.  Binocular diplopia affects both eyes and is caused by eyes not working together.  If one eye is covered, sight becomes normal.  Monocular diplopia affects one eye.  Monocular diplopia remains, even if you cover the unaffected eye but stops when you cover the effected eye.

The double vision may be vertical or horizontal.  Normal eyes will see one image of an object because the brain controls the muscles of the eye and ensures that both eyes are pointing accurately at the object.  If the extraocular muscles or the nerves that innervate the muscles do not work properly, one eye produces its own image and is not in sync with the other eye, thus two images are joined together and vision becomes double.

Causes of Diplopia

Double vision can be temporary in which case there is nothing to worry about.  It may be a symptom of strabismus, where movement of the eye in a particular direction is impaired because of paralysis of muscle(s).  People often find that if they tilt their head, sight becomes normal. Not all strabismus produce double vision.  Double vision can also be caused by the eyelid pressing on the eyeball.  This is because the shape of the eyeball becomes distorted and light rays do not enter the eye as they should and thus there is variation in the points at which light is focused at the back of the eye.  Other causes of double vision include, a tumour or blood clot behind the eye, which disrupt eye movement.  Certain eye diseases can cause double vision.  For example, in endocrine-related exophthalmos, the eyeball protrudes forward and double vision is caused by swelling and scarring of muscle, which affect eye movement.  Also, if a contact lens has been discloacted, double vision may be caused.

Treatment for Diplopia

Diplopia in childhood must be treated to prevent amblyopia (lazy eye) from developing.  A child with double vision will suppress one image, so that vision becomes clear.  This will affect the development of the unused eye and vision within that eye maybe impaired long term.  If a child suffers from diplopia, vision should be corrected by glasses and/or surgery, to prevent amblyopia from developing.  In adulthood, double vision may indicate serious problems such as a tumour and surgery may be required

Also see, Accommodation, Astigmatism, Cranial Nerve Palsy, Retinopathy, Tumour, Graves Disease, Keratoconus, Lens Dislocation, Myasthenia Gravis, Ophthalmoplegia, Trauma.



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