We count on your eyes to navigate the world. That’s why, when we experience sudden changes like double vision, it’s often disorientating and a little unsettling.
Double vision can be a red flag, as it often points to a problem with how the eyes, eye muscles, or brain are working together. Addressing the symptom starts with an eye exam and understanding the condition’s potential causes.
What Causes You to See Double?
When your eyes don’t work together as a team, you might experience double vision. This condition, also called diplopia, can happen for a few reasons. The causes range from simple eye muscle fatigue to more complex health issues.
How Your Eyes Work Together
Normally, your brain takes separate images from each eye and fuses them into one single, three-dimensional view. Double vision happens when something (like eye misalignment) disrupts this process.
Common Reasons for Double Vision
Several health conditions can affect the muscles or nerves that control your eye movements. This interference can lead to double vision. Some common causes include:
- Thyroid problems like Graves’ disease
- Muscle weakness from conditions such as myasthenia gravis
- Diabetes that affects blood vessels in the eyes
- Cataracts that cloud the lens of your eye
Can Medications Affect Your Vision?
Certain medications can sometimes interfere with your eye muscles or the nerves that control them. This can occasionally lead to temporary double vision as a side effect. It’s always helpful to be aware of how new prescriptions might affect your body.
When Double Vision Signals a Health Concern
Sometimes, seeing double is an early sign of an underlying health condition. In such cases, we recommend that you schedule an eye exam so that we can assess the health of your eyes.
Sudden Changes & Vision Loss
A sudden onset of double vision, especially when accompanied by an abrupt loss of sight, requires immediate attention. These symptoms can point to a problem with blood flow to your brain or eye, such as a stroke.
Double Vision with Other Symptoms
Pay close attention if you experience double vision along with other new symptoms. Be mindful of signs like:
- Headaches or pain with eye movement
- Droopy eyelids
- Weakness in your arms or legs
- Difficulty with speech or swallowing
Neurological Conditions & Your Eyes
Your eyes have a direct connection to your brain through the optic nerve. Conditions that affect the nervous system, like multiple sclerosis, a brain tumor, or even a past head injury, can cause inflammation or pressure. This can disrupt nerve signals and lead to double vision.
What to Do If You Experience Double Vision
If you start seeing double, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam. A conversation with your eye care professional can help you understand what’s happening. From there, you can figure out the appropriate next steps for your health.
Describe Your Symptoms
Be ready to share specific details with your doctor. Does your double vision happen constantly, or does it come and go? Does it improve if you cover one eye or look in a certain direction?
Why a Comprehensive Eye Exam Is Important
A thorough eye exam does more than check your prescription for glasses or contacts. The exams include a series of different tests that allow an eye doctor to look at blood vessels, nerves, and other structures inside your eye in order to assess your health.
Is It Blurry Vision or Double Vision?
People sometimes use the terms “blurry vision” and “double vision” to mean the same thing, but they describe different experiences. Knowing how to tell them apart can help you explain your symptoms more clearly.
How to Tell the Difference
Blurry vision makes objects look out of focus, hazy, or fuzzy. With double vision, you see a distinct second image of an object. The second image might appear next to, on top of, or overlapping the first one.
How Double Vision & Blurry Vision Affect Your Sight
Blurriness is often related to a refractive error (like nearsightedness or farsightedness) and can frequently be corrected with glasses. Double vision, however, often points to an issue with how your eyes align and work together as a team. This is known as an eye teaming problem.
Your Next Step for Clear Vision
An eye exam is a direct way to address any concerns you have about your vision. If you notice a change like seeing double, don’t wait to get it checked out. Taking a proactive approach to your eye health is always a great choice.
Impact on Daily Activities
Double vision can affect your coordination and balance, making everyday tasks like driving more difficult. For temporary relief while reading or working, covering one eye can sometimes help merge the two images back into one. In some cases, vision therapy can help retrain the eyes and brain to work together more effectively.
Talk to an Eye Doctor in Campbell
At Total Vision Campbell, we believe that everyone should have a path towards clear, comfortable. Schedule an appointment with us today, and let’s have a conversation about your eye health.
