Should I Be Worried If I Have Double Vision?

Double vision is a condition that causes objects to appear doubled in the vision field. It’s a common cause of headaches, eye strain, and fatigue, and many people experience it at some point in their lives. 

In most cases, double vision is temporary and harmless. However, it can also be an early sign of a serious health problem, such as stroke, or issues related to how your eyes work together. Read on as an Oxnard, CA optometrist discusses what causes double vision and how it’s treated.

What Is Double Vision?

When you have double vision, it means that you’re seeing two images of the same object. This can happen when there’s a problem with your eyes—like a cataract in one eye or astigmatism—or a breakdown in communication between the eyes and the brain. 

If you experience double vision for no apparent reason (and don’t have any other symptoms), this could be an issue with your eyes or brain. In most cases, an eye doctor can perform an exam and diagnose what’s causing the problem. They might also recommend treatment options such as glasses, contact lenses, medications, or surgery depending on what they find in their examination.

What Can Cause Double Vision?

A person can have double vision for a number of reasons, including:

• A stroke. This is common and often happens in people over 50 years old.
• Diabetes, which affects the blood circulation to the brain or eyes 
• An eye injury caused by blunt force trauma
• An eye infection

Other causes to keep in mind include:

• Eye muscle dysfunction (strabismus). This is probably the most common cause of double vision. The muscles that control your eyes are not working properly, so they can’t focus on one object at a time. 
• Brain tumors or trauma that affect the pituitary gland (the small organ near your brain that controls hormone secretion). In these cases, there may be abnormal production of hormones that affect eye movement or blood pressure.
• Stroke affecting one side of your brain; multiple sclerosis; genetic conditions such as Zellweger syndrome—these all might cause your eyes to work improperly when looking for two different things at once!

Treatments

If you have double vision and are concerned about it, know that the condition is not uncommon. If you experience any kind of visual distortion or change in your ability to see with both eyes at once, you should consult an optometrist immediately to determine the cause. In fact, double vision is a symptom of many eye conditions and can often be treated with corrective eyewear, vision therapy, medication, or surgery. 

If you have more questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to call our Oxnard, CA optometry office today!