What causes double vision and how is it cured?

What can cause double vision?

Double vision (also known as diplopia), consists of the distorted perception ofthe images that our eyes perceive, where we can see double image or two crossed images in the same object, it is annoying and disturbing.

Note: Double vision, or diplopia, can be monocular diplopia (in one eye) or binocular diplopia (in both eyes).

However, double visionis a symptom of various conditions or alterations, but what exactly? We will show you the factors that cause double vision below:

1. Alterations in the cornea and lens

Disorders or diseases, which directly affect the cornea (whose main function in the eye is defense against pathological agents) and the lens are relevant in double vision.

Specifically keratitis, whichis an inflammation that extends through the ocula areaalso affecting the iris and lens, in the long term you can lose your sight. It is mainly caused by the contact of bacteria, viruses and fungi, although conditions such as conjunctivitis also influence.

Note: Keratitis can be ulcerative or non-ulcerative and is commonly caused by an infection. It usually affects one eye but can sometimes affect both eyes.” (1)

2. Muscle and optic nerve problems

When you have muscle problems, they affect the mobility of the eye (especially the oculomotor nerves) and infections (such as lupus) can occur, which damage the optic nerve or cause paralysis of the optic nerves (as a result you can see double).

Firstly, muscular problems are considered as disorders, the best known is nystagmus and it stands out for being the random and uncontrollable mobility of the eye. Secondly, the most well-known infection of the optic nerve is inflammatoryOptic neuritis , where pain in ocular mobility and some loss of vision stand out.

To highlight: As a complement, it is known that “One of the most interesting aspects of inflammatory optic neuritis is its relationship with multiple sclerosis (MS)” . (two)

3. Neurological and thyroid diseases

The set of neurological conditions are related to the central and peripheral nervous system (and everything related to them) and thyroid diseases only directly affect the thyroid glands in the neck. How is it related?

In the first place, the most notable neurological pathologies (where vision is related) are epilepsy, dementia or coronary ischemia, which affect organs such as the brain and the heart, but when these stop working, it causes others around them to suffer. suffer equally.

The same happens with thyroid diseases , which affect their relationship to the transport of blood to the cells of the organism so that functions such as metabolism are correct, in the eyes it causes eyelid retraction and pain.

Important: A study mentions that “Neurological conditions represent a group of diseases that affect the general population with important socioeconomic repercussions.” (3)

4. Trauma

Also known as ocular injury, they are series of traumas related to physical accidents in the eyes or ocular muscles, one of the most recurring physical causes, but why do these accidents occur?

Very simple, contact and rubbing with sharp objects even in one eye (which is why protective equipment is used in certain jobs) or bruises caused by cataracts and retinal tears, which in addition to double vision, can prolong the loss of sight, in addition to this, Surgical operations of the eyeball.

To highlight: An analysis determined that “60-80% of ocular traumatisms occur in men between the ages of 30 and 40. Up to 25% is caused in children. (4)

5. Strabismus

Strabismus is one of the most worrisome causes of double vision , the opposite of binocular vision, as it is only a warning symptom in the face of incapacity or lack of parallelism in both eyes (sometimes considered paralysis).

Mobility becomes bizarre, in the form of crossed or crossed eyes(even horizontally vertical). It is usually caused by the sameneurological conditions and anatomical problems of the eye or its surroundings, it can be persistent and if not treated, it worsens over time.

Note: It is known to affect newborn babies or very young children where adequate binocular vision is assessed.

6. Brain disorders

Brain conditions are relevant causes regarding double vision, since they are a worrisome and alarming symptom.

Image distortion (and not just like double vision), is due to cells in the brain dying and various motor functions of the body are lost (such can be the case with a stroke), in addition to blurred vision or double, you can suffer from dizziness and hallucinations (in very rare cases).

How is double vision cured?

Fortunately, because it is a large-scale problem worldwide, there are several methods (including surgical means) to cure the beginning of double vision. These are the main treatments:

1. Drugs indicated by specialist

An Ophthalmologist Specialist is the one to do exhaustive reviews by dilating the eyes, therefore they will properly prescribe the drugs required to alleviate diplopia.

Important:Drugs for diplopia depend individually on the condition or pathology that is causing it, in order to prevent side and unwanted effects. Therefore, it is determined first, who is the true cause of diplopia.

For example, neurotoxins (Botulinum A type) are used for strabismus in the form of a medicine called Clostridium Botulinum. For trauma, compresses or anti-inflammatory drops such as ibuprofen are placed and so on.

2. Eye surgery

Eye surgery is a delicate and important surgical process to permanently change the function of sight, but it has the advantages of improving vision and even strabismus (especially if we are talking about image distortion).

Note: It is not used with common instruments, but with the use of laser beams(especially ultraviolet ones) and the patient needs to stay awake for it. They last 10 to 15 minutes per eye and usually do not require sutures.

3. Glasses and contact lenses

Double vision can be easily treated with glasses (such as sunglasses), which are more than just fashion, they help protect the eye from certain strong lights that can cause sudden dilation of the eyeball (hence blurred and distorted vision). ).

For their part, Contact Lenses can be useful for those people who have vision problems (or someone who sees double), since they must greatly force the natural function of the eye to focus and observe better, in this sense, contact lenses contact alleviate this problem and save you the trouble of suffering from uncomfortable double vision.

Key Findings

• Double vision can be caused by a large number of conditions related to the cornea and its surroundings.
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• To cure double vision in a patient, prescription drug treatment, surgical procedures and the use of contact lenses are used.