What is Double Vision?

Double Vision known as diplopia is the result of two non-matching images being sent to the brain at the same time. When your eyes are misaligned and point at different targets this will cause double vision. When the brain processes these mismatched images your vision will be doubled.

If you suffer with this problem it could be dangerous. The brain will use its natural defences to guard against this and will eventually begin to ignore one eye. This process is called suppression.

Because the brain has the ability to suppress one eye anyone suffering from diplopia may not be aware of it. Diplopia double vision will appear to go away but it is important to note that the cause of diplopia is most likely still present.

Diplopia is not a minor complaint and if you have blurred double vision you should see a specialist immediately.

What Can Cause Double Vision?

There are possible causes of blurred double vision, the most common being misalignment of the two eyes. This is a functional problem that has occurred within your visual system and is referred to as binocular diplopia.

The second possible cause of diplopia is a structural defect in the optical system of the eye. This cause is much less common and can visionary problems such as cataracts can produce it. When this form of diplopia occurs it can only appear in one eye and is known as monocular diplopia.

Diplopia can be a symptom of a number of different visual conditions so it is very important to have it checked out. Some of these visual conditions include strabismus and visual conditions that are related to head trauma.

Treatment Of Diplopia Double Vision

There are a number of different treatment options available for diplopia double vision and these include eye muscle surgery, orthoptics, and vision therapy.

If one of the eyes has been suppressed due to blurred double vision there is a chance that the suppressed eye can become amblyopic. Amblyopia is the number one cause of vision loss in the under 40 age group today.

 
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