Double vision, also known as diplopia, is a vision disorder that occurs when a person sees two images of a single object. This condition can happen for several reasons and in several different ways. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes and treatments of double vision and our approach at our Olympia medical optometry clinic.

Why Am I Seeing Double? Common Causes of Double Vision Explained

Double vision can occur for a wide range of reasons. Some common causes of double vision include misalignment of the eyes, eye muscle weakness, nerve damage, and brain injury. If you have double vision, it is important to consult our eye doctor to diagnose the underlying cause of your condition.

Sometimes, double vision can occur when your eyes are fatigued or you've had too much to drink. This is a less serious cause of double vision and is temporary. However, if you experience double vision for the first time or it is a persistent problem, it is crucial to seek medical attention.

Other more serious causes of double vision include tumors, aneurysms, and brain injuries. Diabetes can also affect the cranial nerves that control the muscles of your eyes. Additionally, there is a disease called myasthenia gravis, which can cause double vision that changes from day to day, depending on muscle fatigue.

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The Different Types of Double Vision and Their Causes: What You Need to Know

The first type of double vision is where the double images appear side by side. This type of double vision is known as horizontal diplopia and can occur due to several reasons. It can be caused by an imbalance in the muscles that control the movement of the eyes or misalignment of the eyes. This misalignment can occur as a result of a head injury or a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis.

The second type of double vision is where the double images appear one on top of the other. This is known as vertical diplopia and is often caused by problems with the muscles or nerves that control the vertical movement of the eyes. This type of double vision can also be a result of a head injury or a brain tumor.

The third type of double vision is where the double images are diagonally split. This type of double vision is known as oblique diplopia and can occur due to problems with the muscles that control the diagonal movement of the eyes. This can be caused by nerve damage or conditions that affect the muscles such as myasthenia gravis.

Furthermore, double vision can occur with both eyes working together or with just one eye. If the double vision occurs when both eyes are open, it is known as binocular diplopia. This can be caused by a range of factors, such as a misalignment of the eyes or problems with the muscles that control eye movement. If the double vision occurs with only one eye open, it is known as monocular diplopia. This can be caused by a number of conditions, including cataracts, corneal abnormalities or other structural problems of the eye.

It is important to seek professional medical attention if you are experiencing double vision, particularly if it is a new symptom or if it is impacting your daily life. Our optometrist can perform a thorough functional eye examination to determine the underlying cause of your double vision and recommend appropriate treatment options. To schedule an eye exam for double vision, please call (360) 491-2121.

Effective Treatments for Double Vision: An Overview for Patients

The treatment of double vision depends on the underlying cause. At our Olympia optometry clinic, we can provide several treatments for double vision, including vision therapy, prism lenses, and patching or frosting of lenses.

If your two eyes are not sitting together and focusing together, we can fix that with a prism in the lenses of glasses, which helps to line up your eyes a little bit better. We can also do vision therapy to train your eyes to work better together so that your brain can process them better.

For some patients, double vision may not be treatable. If you see double all the time, we can do some things to make you more comfortable walking around day to day, including frosting a lens or patching it so you're not seeing double.

If you have double vision that persists even after trying the above treatments, you may need further interventions. For instance, cataracts, severe dry eye, and keratoconus can cause double vision that persists even with corrective lenses. In these cases, we may try to manage the underlying condition with different types of contact lenses, dry eye treatment, or cataract surgery.

Take our online double vision assessment

Is blurry, fuzzy, or double vision impacting your quality of life and vision? Take our online double vision assessment to help identify if you may have an underlying vision problem that is causing diplopia (double vision) neuro/double-vision-quiz/ 

When to Seek Medical Attention For Double Vision

If you experience double vision, you should seek medical attention to rule out any underlying serious conditions. Even if it's just at the end of the day and goes away, it is always good to get it checked with our eye doctor in Olympia. We can help diagnose the underlying cause of your double vision and recommend appropriate treatments.  Patients with functional vision issues following a head injury, stroke, or developmental vision issue visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of neuro optometric rehabilitation services and vision therapy services for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.

Double vision can have a range of causes and treatments. While some cases are temporary and not serious, other causes may indicate an underlying medical condition that requires prompt attention. If you have double vision, contact our office at (360) 491-2121 to schedule an appointment with our optometrist to diagnose and treat your condition.