Double vision, often known as diplopia, is a medical word for seeing things twice. When you look at anything, you may see two images of it. Although double vision is often only a temporary issue, it can also be an indication of more significant health problems.
If you start experiencing diplopia, get your eyes checked by your healthcare practitioner right away, even if it is caused by something which is as simple as requiring new glasses. Now, it is important to understand that there are two different types of diplopia.
Types of Diplopia
Binocular Diplopia
When both eyes are open, binocular diplopia occurs, which resolves when one eye is closed. A dislocation of the eyes, commonly known as strabismus, is one of the main concerns on the list of diplopia causes. Binocular diplopia can be caused by conditions that damage the cranial nerves and feed the muscles that govern the eyes. Double vision, especially all-around the eye socket, might be an indication of an aneurysm, stroke, or head/facial trauma. Binocular double vision can appear only when the eyes are moved in a specific direction, such as down or up or to the right or left. By covering one eye, an individual with binocular diplopia might erase the double image.
Monocular Diplopia
Monocular diplopia is a type of double vision that affects only one eye or happens only when a single eye is open. Refractive error, a modification in the shape of the eye that diplopia causes eyesight to be more distorted, or the initial phases of a cataract, clouding of the eye’s lens, are both frequent diplopia causes of monocular double vision. Even when one eye is covered, patients with monocular diplopia may experience double vision.
Symptoms of Diplopia
Images might appear to overlap or be adjacent to one another. Other signs and symptoms include impaired vision and dizziness. The cause of double vision might be monocular, where one or both eyes perceive numerous images when examined separately, binocular, where both eyes see lots of images when evaluated together, and double vision can be seen when both of the eyes are open. However, each eye could have the vision of a single image when evaluated individually. Double vision could be permanent or temporary. Double vision that changes with blinking, for example, is frequently linked to abnormalities on the eye’s surface. Binocular diplopia can change due to the direction of vision or how the head is tilted or turned. Variable double vision can also be caused by fatigue.
5 Possible Diplopia Causes
Monocular double vision is rare than double binocular vision and is caused by a problem with one eye. Many patients who have monocular diplopia remark that one image is highly clear while the other is faded or washed out. The two images that people with this sort of double vision see are usually equally clear.
Myasthenia gravis and diplopia
Muscle weakness intensifies throughout the day in those with myasthenia gravis. This is the cause of double vision which affects your ocular muscles, governing your eyes and eyelids.
Vertigo and diplopia
Vertigo is a feeling that may make you feel that your surroundings are spinning in circles around you. Inner ear problems are the most common diplopia causes. However, if you have significant double vision, you may also experience vertigo. Vertigo and diplopia are often signs of underlying health problems.
Proptosis and diplopia
Proptosis is if both of the eyes bulge outwards from the natural position. Thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease, can result in bulging eyes and diplopia.
Diabetes and diplopia
If you or your loved ones have/suffer from diabetes, it means that the body is unable to digest and utilize glucose obtained from the diet properly. Diabetes can harm your eyes, causing symptoms such as diplopia and serious complications such as diabetic retinopathy.
Keratoconus and diplopia
Keratoconus is when the cornea or the clear area of the eye through which you see loses its shape. The corneas of your eyes are normally circular, but keratoconus diplopia causes them to protrude outward like a cone. This twisted shape leads to vision problems, such as diplopia.
Seeing double can be frightening, especially if it happens unexpectedly. Double vision or diplopia can occur for several reasons, including excessive screen time or astigmatism, which glasses or lenses can cure. On the other hand, double vision might be an indication of serious medical issues and, therefore, should not be overlooked. Learn about the diplopia causes, treatments, and whether to seek medical help for this common eye condition. To get a proper diagnosis, you can avail the free eye test at Titan Eyeplus and get to the root of diplopia causes, as well as get some advice as to how you can overcome it quickly.