Treating Double Vision (Diplopia)

Double vision, also termed as diplopia, is a medical ailment in which a person sees two images of a single object. The two images may be one on top of the other, side by side, or a mix of both.

According to reports, Double vision may be continuous, it may come and go, or it may only occur when person is looking in a particular direction.

There are two types of double vision: Monocular and binocular.

Monocular diplopia is double vision in only one eye. The double vision continues even when the other eye is covered. The doubling does not go away when person look in different directions.

Causes of monocular double vision can include:

Ø Refractive errors such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness

Ø Corneal disease

Ø Cataracts

Ø Retinal abnormalities

Binocular diplopia is double vision associated with a misalignment of the eyes. The double vision ends if either eye is covered. Any problem that affects one or more of the muscles around the eyeball that control the direction of the gaze can trigger binocular diplopia.

The cause of double vision depends on whether double vision is coming from one eye (monocular) or both eyes (binocular). This also affects the treatment plan for patient.

In diagnostic procedure, person has to observe that whether his double vision is monocular or binocular. To do this, treating doctor will ask person to cover one eye and then the other. If patient has monocular diplopia, doctor will evaluate medical conditions accordingly.

To diagnose binocular diplopia, doctor has to determine which eye muscles are affected. Doctor will ask patient to look at the doctor's finger as he moves it up, down, left and right. This lets the doctor see how far his eye can move in each direction. Doctor also will cover one eye and then the other, while patient focuses on a target. If the doctor sees eyes of patient shift as the eye cover is moved, it indicates that patient’s eyes are not aligned properly.

Prisms may be placed over eye to shift the image, and the test is repeated. The prisms allow the doctor to measure the amount or degree of double vision when patient looks in different directions. This helps to diagnose the problem and monitor the problem over time. Doctor will use the results of this examination, together with patient’s medical history and additional symptoms, to determine if he/she needs more tests.

Treatment for double vision depends on causes and types. These range from special glasses and eye exercises, to surgery to remove a cataract.

Important fact about double vision is that adults can well explain their eye problem and from which point, they have double vision but children cannot explain correctly. In case of children, adults must observe their eye movement regularly. If child has double vision, they may narrow or squint their eyes closed in an effort to see better, or they may frequently cover one eye with their hand.

They may also turn their head in unusual ways (for example, tilting their head) or look sideways instead of facing forward to try to avoid double vision.