How Neurovisual Medicine Helps with Double Vision

Double vision, or diplopia, is a condition causing you to see two overlapping or separate images of the same object. Double vision can turn simple tasks into challenges. The act of reaching for a glass of water can be difficult when you see two glasses instead of one. If you suffer from double vision, you might experience poor depth perception. It affects your ability to drive, read, and play sports. The condition can interfere with your quality of life.

Causes of Double Vision

Double vision can be temporary or long-lasting. Excessive alcohol consumption or lack of sleep causes the former kind of diplopia. This goes away and is usually no cause for concern. Recurring or long-lasting double vision occurs due to eye conditions. The most common are cataracts, keratoconus, and dry eye. Causes of diplopia include head injuries such as concussions, stroke, brain tumors, or aneurysms. Refractive surgery like LASIK and cranial nerve palsies or eye misalignment can also cause double vision.

 

Symptoms of Double Vision

Symptoms of diplopia may include the following:

• Headaches.

• Nausea.

• Pain in the temples.

• Pain around the eyes.

• Painful eye movement.

• Eye weakness.

• Misalignment of the eyes.

• Dizziness or disorientation.

• Drooping of one or both eyelids.

• Difficulty with balance.

• Loss of coordination.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Difficulty with reading.

• Difficulty with focus.
   

You may be experiencing only some symptoms. They vary from patient to patient. Most report having a combination of several symptoms.

Treatment of Double Vision

If you experience symptoms of diplopia, it is important to visit an eye specialist immediately. The condition may be a symptom of some health issue. There are several ways to treat double vision. They include neuro-optometric rehabilitation, surgery, and prescription prism glasses.

Diagnosing Binocular Vision Dysfunction

Prism glasses can help with the treatment of double vision. This therapy involves the identification and treatment of Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). This umbrella term categorizes several ocular conditions. Each condition makes it difficult for the eyes to work together. When this happens, it results in a horizontal or vertical misalignment between your eyes. Although common, most people may be unfamiliar with BVD.

Using Neurovisual Medicine

Neurovisual medicine can treat double vision. After diagnosing BVD, a specialist can offer you appropriate treatment. The patient will first undergo a comprehensive vision examination. This ensures that the symptoms you are experiencing can be resolved with treatment. The assessment includes a thorough medical history as well as specialized testing. Bespoke prisms are inserted into lenses or glasses to correct the images seen.

Neurovisual medicine uses special prisms in an attempt to correct your eye misalignment. The prisms required will vary between individuals. Several appointments will be required to fine-tune the prism amount you need. To know more about double vision, visit Eye Care North at our office in Cave Creek, Arizona. You can also call 480-781-4446 to book an appointment today.