Double vision (diplopia)

The Diplopia, so that Double vision, is a serious disorder. Diplopia is caused by various diseases, among which harmless but also serious clinical pictures can be found. If the double vision persists for a long time, an ophthalmologist must be consulted who will research the cause of the diplopia and refer the patient to a suitable specialist depending on the clinical picture.

What are double vision?

Double vision can have such harmless causes as a cross-eyed eye, which has to be corrected by the ophthalmologist so that correct spatial vision is possible.

One speaks of diplopia whenever double vision occurs in one or both eyes. In medicine one speaks of a disorder of the so-called binocular vision - the interaction of the right and left eye.

The brain does not combine the images that the right and left eyes see into a spatial overall picture, as is usual with a healthy person, but rather shows them as double images.

causes

The causes of diplopia vary from patient to patient. Double vision can have such harmless causes as a cross-eyed eye, which has to be corrected by the ophthalmologist so that correct spatial vision is possible.

However, serious illnesses such as a brain tumor can also cause diplopia. Other common causes include circulatory disorders. Stroke patients also occasionally complain of double vision. Diplopia also occasionally occurs with some other diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

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➔ Medicines for visual disturbances and eye complaints

Diseases with this symptom

• Circulatory disorders
• Squint

• stroke
• Brain tumor

• multiple sclerosis
• migraine

Diagnosis & course

Those affected should always go to the doctor if the Diplopia does not disappear on its own within a few hours and does not respond to clear causes such as Fatigue or excessive consumption of alcohol can be traced back.

In the event of other severe symptoms such as pain in the left arm or severe headache, the emergency doctor should be informed immediately, because if a stroke is suspected, time is of the essence - the sooner a stroke is treated, the better the prognosis. All patients in whom diplopia is the only recognizable symptom should speak to their ophthalmologist first, who can diagnose many of the causes of diplopia.

He first performs a detailed eye exam using various devices. This includes the so-called double image test. During the course of this examination, the ophthalmologist will test the mobility of the eyes and perform various other visual tests that use up and down tests.

If paralysis of the eye muscles is suspected, electromyography (EMG) is carried out, which can detect or exclude paralysis of the eye muscles and which can also be used to diagnose diseases of the optic nerve. If the cause of the diplopia cannot be diagnosed, the doctor will also perform blood tests to diagnose any inflammation and use imaging tests.

Complications

Double vision is usually due to a serious illness. But it can also be quite harmless, like squinting for example. Here the ophthalmologist can correct the squinting eye and make normal vision possible. However, it can also be a brain tumor, in many cases it is caused by a disorder in the brain. Sometimes double vision is quite harmless, but if you do not look normally after a few hours, you should see a doctor.

The ophthalmologist will make a correct diagnosis, he is the first point of contact. Now, of course, the actual illness is treated, double vision is a concomitant phenomenon. For example, if there is a brain tumor, it must be surgically removed. However, complications can also occur during treatment; in certain cases, the operation first causes double vision. Double vision can be visible for several months, but with successful treatment they disappear much earlier.

A stroke also causes double vision, with other side effects being noted here. Sufferers complain of headache, dizziness and pain in the right arm. In the event of a stroke, the patient must be taken to the hospital immediately, this increases the chances of recovery considerably.

Double vision should always be taken seriously, but with medication this symptom also disappears very quickly. A neurologist can definitely determine where the diplopia is actually coming from and will combat the cause.

When should you go to the doctor?

Double vision or double vision can have both harmless and serious causes. Those affected should therefore not hesitate long and consult a doctor immediately. The first point of contact in this case is the ophthalmologist. If the double vision is not based on an ophthalmological finding, the ophthalmologist knows which specialists to call in for further diagnosis.

In diplopia, as the medical term used to refer to double images, the brain does not combine the individual images recorded by the right and left eyes into a three-dimensional overall image, but rather leaves them as double images. The cause for this can be an impairment of the eye such as strabismus. Circulatory disorders and migraines can also temporarily trigger double vision.

Double vision can also occur in more serious illnesses such as multiple sclerosis or stroke. A stroke can announce itself with the first symptoms such as severe headache or pain in the left arm plus double vision, which is why an emergency doctor must be called in with this symptom constellation, since every minute counts even if a stroke is suspected. Another serious cause of diplopia is a possible brain tumor, which also requires immediate medical treatment.

In addition to the ophthalmologist and, if necessary, the general practitioner, the following specialists may also be considered for treating diplopia: internist, neurologist and oncologist.

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Treatment & Therapy

Treatment for diplopia is as varied as the underlying causes. If the diplopia is caused by a cross-eyed eye, the treatment is given by the ophthalmologist, who can correct the cross-eyedness with the help of visual aids. If double vision is based on a brain tumor, it must be surgically removed. In the case of malignant tumors, treatment of the tumor is supplemented by radiation treatment and / or chemotherapy.

Circulatory disorders that cause diplopia are corrected by the neurologist, who initiates drug treatment. If a stroke is suspected, which is not only caused by diplopia but e.g. also expresses severe headaches, word-finding disorders and / or pain in the left arm, the patient has to go to hospital immediately, because the earlier a stroke is treated, the better the chances of recovery.

If the diplopia is based on other diseases such as multiple sclerosis or migraine, these are treated with special medications. Diplopia as a symptom of the disease disappears along with other symptoms in the course of successful treatment.

Outlook & forecast

Diplopia can occur for many different reasons and must therefore be treated individually in each case. In most cases, treatment of the diplopia is successful, so that the patient can see clearly again and has no further impairment of the eyes.

The treatment is usually done with antibiotics, if it is an infection of the eyes and head area. This infection can be treated relatively well and does not lead to further complaints or complications.

In the case of cancer (which is pressing on the brain) or head injuries, surgical treatment is often done to remove the diplopia. If the diplopia is caused by a stroke or a blood clot, an immediate intervention by the doctor is necessary.

If no treatment is carried out, the patient will not be able to see clearly, which greatly affects his everyday life. The eye muscle needs to be tightened, which leads to further loss of vision. Therefore, diplopia should always be treated. It can also be compensated for with prism glasses. Since diplopia is an irreversible symptom, diplopia will not go away on its own.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for visual disturbances and eye complaints

prevention

Prevention of possible diplopia consists in a generally healthy lifestyle, as many of the diseases that cause diplopia can be caused by obesity and poor diet. Temporary diplopia can be prevented by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. Getting enough sleep also helps prevent double vision.

You can do that yourself

Diplopia can have many different causes and usually cannot be cured by the patient alone without medical assistance. An ophthalmologist should definitely be consulted here. In some cases, the diplopia is short-lived and disappears again after a few hours or a few days. However, if the diplopia lasts longer, it is imperative to see a doctor.

This disease can greatly reduce the quality of life and make everyday life more difficult for the patient. Ordinary tasks and going to work are no longer possible in most cases. In order to avoid depression and psychological problems here, a doctor must carry out the treatment.

Often, bacterial infections in the brain or around the eyes are the trigger for diplopia. These can be treated relatively well with antibiotics and no longer lead to further complications or complaints. However, diplopia can also occur as a result of a stroke or caused by tumors. Urgent action is needed here, and surgery is often necessary to eliminate the diplopia. Therefore, early detection and treatment of the symptom by a doctor is very important. Self-help is not possible in this case.