Rs Neurology

Also known as diplopia, double vision causes a person to see two or double of an object. There are two different types of double vision.

The first type of double vision is monocular diplopia which is double vision in one eye. Even if the other eye is covered, double vision still continues. The double vision will continue despite looking in different directions.

The other type of double vision is binocular diplopia which is double vision that occurs when eyes do not normally align with each other. The double vision will go away if one of the eyes are covered. There is double vision because the eyes are misaligned.

Blurry vision results when your vision lacks sharpness and you cannot see a clear image. Sudden blurry vision may be caused by a single event. While blurry vision is very common, slow and progressive blurry vision can be a sign of more serious long-term medical conditions such as stroke, TIA, brain tumour, migraines, neuropathy, and MS.

Like blurry vision, double vision can be caused by many different factors. However, double vision can also be a sign of more serious long-term conditions.

Because stroke affects the brain, it can cause problems in eye movement and coordinations. As a result, both eyes might not work well together as a pair. People with stroke might experience a sudden painless change in vision leading to double vision (diplopia) or blurry vision.

Blurry vision or double vision can also be a symptom of Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). TIA symptoms last anywhere from minutes to hours. Because they are relatively brief, some people might try to ignore these symptoms. Instead, it is useful to recognize if you have a stroke and to call 911 right away.

In both cases of TIA and stroke, symptoms of double/blurry vision will be very likely accompanied by other symptoms such as weakening of limbs, balancing issues, slurred speech, drooping of half the face.

Having changes in vision like what we’ve written about above could also be an indicator of a brain tumour and may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms like partial loss of vision. Prolonged vision changes (i.e. double vision) may be from a tumor in the temporal lobe, occipital lobe, or brain stem.

Migraines are also another possible cause. A migraine is a moderate to severe headache that is felt as an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head. Some migraines are accompanied by auras. During the aura stage of a migraine one might experience changes in vision like blurry vision. Along with this, you may also experience sensitivity to light, sound, and touch, nausea, vomiting, and an intense throbbing pain on one side of the head.

Neuropathy is a disorder which damages your nerves, affecting your ability to move and function normally. It often is accompanied by numbness, weakness, and pain in your hands and feet.

Double vision may also occur due to multiple sclerosis (MS). Diplopia due to MS occurs when the nerves that control your eye movements are inflamed or damaged. Such damage of the nerve may also cause aching pain with eye movements and blurred vision.