Diplopia is a condition when the eye sees one object in two. This condition can occur in one eye (monocular diplopia) or both (binocular diplopia). Diplopia is also known as double vision.
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| Diplopia, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Diplopia is a symptom of a certain disease or medical condition, which usually only occurs temporarily. However, in some serious conditions, such as diabetes or a brain tumor, diplopia can slowly get worse. Therefore, it is necessary to check with the doctor if you start experiencing double vision.
Causes of Diplopia
Diplopia can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from mild to severe. The various conditions that cause it can be divided based on the type of diplopia, namely monocular diplopia and binocular diplopia. The following is an explanation:
Monocular diplopia
Monocular diplopia is double vision that occurs in one eye. This type occurs when there is interference with the cornea and lens of the eye, for example in the following conditions:
- Cataract
- Keratoconus, which is a condition when the cornea thins and bulges outward
- Dry eyes
- Broken in one of the bones of the eye socket
- Astigmatism
- Pterygium
Binocular diplopia
Binocular diplopia is double vision that occurs in both eyes. This type occurs due to disorders of the muscles, nerves, and brain. Some conditions that can cause binocular diplopia are:
- Myasthenia gravis
- Graves' disease
- Crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Weakness of the optic nerve
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Diabetes
- Strokes
- Pressure on the brain from injury, bleeding, or infection
- Brain aneurysm
- Brain tumor
Monocular diplopia is the more common type, and is usually not caused by a serious condition. While binocular diplopia generally occurs due to serious conditions, such as an aneurysm or brain tumor.
Diplopia symptoms
Diplopia is a symptom of a condition or disease. Based on the type and cause, people with diplopia can experience the following symptoms:
Monocular diplopia
In this type, the patient can see normally in one eye, while the other eye sees an object in two. If the patient closes the eye affected by diplopia, the patient will be able to see clearly. However, if the patient closes the normal eye, double vision will appear.
Apart from double vision in one eye, sufferers can also experience several other symptoms due to conditions that cause monocular diplopia, namely:
- Cataracts, with symptoms of blurred and foggy vision
- Keratoconus, which is characterized by blurred vision and sensitivity to light
- Dry eyes, with symptoms such as sore and itchy eyes
- Astigmatism, with symptoms of blurred vision
- Pterygium, which is characterized by a sensation like something is stuck in the eye
Binocular diplopia
In this type, both eyes of the sufferer can see one object in two. However, if one eye is closed, both the left and right eye, the open eye can see normally.
Sufferers may also experience several other symptoms due to several conditions that cause binocular diplopia, namely:
- Diabetes, with symptoms of blurred vision
- Strabismus, with symptoms such as the position of the two eyes are not parallel (crossed eyes)
- Myasthenia gravis, which is characterized by drooping of the eyelid (ptosis)
Apart from the symptoms above, diplopia can also be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Eyes look crossed
- Pain when moving the eyeball
- Headache
- vertigo
- Nauseous
- The eyelids droop
- Often tilts head when looking at an object
When to see a doctor
It is necessary to see a doctor immediately if you experience double vision or sudden difficulty seeing clearly.
Go to the emergency room immediately if double vision occurs after an accident, head injury, or is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Terrible headache
- Sore eyes
- Half body paralyzed
- Constant vomiting
- Numbness in the face
- Loss of consciousness
Diplopia diagnosis
To diagnose diplopia, the doctor will ask and answer questions about the patient's symptoms, and whether the symptoms appear suddenly or develop slowly. In addition, the doctor will also ask about the patient's and family's medical history.
Next, the doctor will perform an eye and nerve examination. The eye examination that will be carried out by the doctor includes a visual acuity test, examination of the condition of the eyes using a slit lamp, and a test by covering one eye.
To make a diagnosis, the doctor can carry out several supporting examinations, namely:
- Blood tests, to detect infection, and check blood sugar, antibodies, and thyroid hormone levels
- Scanning with a CT scan or MRI of the head, to detect abnormalities such as tumors in the eye or head, head injuries, brain aneurysms, and strokes
- Electromyography, to detect the occurrence of myasthenia gravis
Diplopia Treatment
Treatment for diplopia depends on the cause. The following are some examples of treatments to treat conditions that cause diplopia:
The use of glasses and eye patches, to improve the position of the eyeball, for example in crossed eyes
Pyridostigmine and corticosteroid drugs, to treat myasthenia gravis
Antidiabetic drugs and insulin, to treat eye damage caused by diabetes
Surgery, to treat cataracts, tumors, and crossed eyes that do not improve with eye patches or glasses, as well as to treat fractures in the eye
Diplopia complications
Diplopia complications depend on the cause. For example, diplopia resulting from a stroke or aneurysm can cause permanent paralysis. Meanwhile, if diplopia occurs due to a tumor or cancer, cancer cells can spread to other organs.
Apart from some of the complications above, there are also several complications that can occur if diplopia is not treated immediately, namely:
- It's easy to fall
- Dizzy
- Constant nausea
- Sensitive to light
- Difficulty doing daily activities
- Blindness
Diplopia prevention
Diplopia or double vision cannot always be prevented, especially if it occurs as a result of a brain tumor, bleeding, or injury. However, the risk of this condition can be reduced by maintaining healthy eyes. Here are some efforts that can be done:
- Do not smoke.
- Avoid staring at screens or other electronic items for too long without resting.
- Do routine eye examinations to the doctor every 1-2 years.
In addition to making the above efforts, the risk of diplopia can also be reduced by avoiding accidents that can cause eye injury.
Therefore, always wear a seat belt when driving, and use protective glasses when working, playing sports or doing activities that can injure your eyes.
For diabetics, it is important to continue to maintain blood sugar levels within normal limits by adopting a healthy diet, as well as exercising regularly, taking medication, and seeing a doctor. This can reduce the risk of damage to the optic nerve which can cause double vision.
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