“Seeing double” is a visual sensation that everyone has experienced at some point, but what if this condition sticks around? Double vision, known in the ophthalmologist world as diplopia, occurs when our eyes are no longer focused at the same point in space, resulting in a duplicated vision. It can be caused by either a corneal or neurological disruption that affects the natural processes that give you sight. When your eyes can’t seem to work together, an eye doctor will evaluate why your diplopia exists and work from there to prescribe treatment.

5 Reasons You’re Seeing Double

1. Physical Trauma

With instances of head trauma, the brain undergoes damage that affects processes controlled by the wounded area. Since vision requires involvement from a variety of locations in the brain, side effects like diplopia are very common. Treatments like vision therapy can help patients mediate the symptoms in varying degrees based on the severity of the diagnosis. Sometimes it’s as simple as retraining the vision system to get rid of double vision, but more often, the damage to the brain is permanent. In these cases, neuro-ophthalmologists will prescribe strategies to live with this visual condition.

2. Corneal Irregularities 

A structural deformity to the cornea could also be the cause of your double vision. This condition is often manifested as “ghost images,” which are described as a shadow overlapping your line of vision’s primary image. Irregularities can include keratoconus (cone-shaped corneas) or corneal dystrophies (the deterioration of the corneal structure).

Depending on the severity of the condition, an eye doctor will point you to a couple of paths for treatment. Special contacts, glasses, or eyedrops can be a course of action, and for more serious cases, surgery like a corneal transplant or Intacs® implants might be needed.

3. Dry Eyes 

Severe dry eyes can manifest as diplopia due to the lack of quality tears. Some ways to treat this condition are:

• Eye drops
• Punctal plugs (placed in the tear duct to stop drainage of the eye)
• Eye vitamins 
• Lid hygiene techniques

4. Refractive Surgery 

Sometimes the change to your corneas during a refractive surgery like LASIK to improve vision can ironically cause double or ghost imaging. This side effect post-surgery is a result of an irregular corneal surface from either the surgery itself or by dryness, which makes the light rays scatter, affecting vision instead of focusing it. In most cases, this issue resolves itself in a few weeks, but sometimes another vision surgery is needed.

5. Poor Self-Care

Short-term diplopia occurs usually when you haven’t gotten enough sleep; other instances, like binge drinking, can have a similar effect. Luckily, it’s nothing that a good night’s sleep can’t fix.

If you are experiencing double vision, it is vital to visit with an eye doctor who will make the right plan of action. Kenneth Houchin, M.D., is one of the Las Vegas area’s leading ophthalmologists, with the expertise to treat a variety vision issues, particularly neurological eye problems like diplopia for patients with brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and strokes. For more information about the treatments and services Dr. Houchin offers or to book an appointment, visit his website or call his office today at (702) 718-2020.