What causes diplopia?

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What causes diplopia?

There are many possible causes of diplopia. The most common causes include:

Monocular diplopia

  • Cataracts.
  • Astigmatism.
  • Dry eye syndrome.
  • Ill-fitting glasses or contact lenses.
  • Iris (the colored part of your eye) abnormalities.

Binocular diplopia

  • Misaligned eyes.
  • Cranial nerve issues.
  • Brain aneurysms.
  • Strokes.

Diplopia caused by other conditions

Diplopia is often caused by other issues and conditions in your body and eyes. That’s why it’s so important to get your eyes checked right away when you notice any changes in your vision.

Diplopia and myasthenia gravis

People with myasthenia gravis have muscle weakness that worsens throughout the day. This can affect your ocular muscles (the muscles that control your eyes and eyelids) and cause double vision.

Diplopia and proptosis

Proptosis is the bulging of one or both of your eyes from their natural position. Bulging eyes are usually caused by thyroid issues, like Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism, and may come with diplopia.

Diplopia and keratoconus

Keratoconus occurs when your cornea (the clear part of your eye that you see through) loses its shape. Usually, your corneas are round, but keratoconus causes your cornea to bulge outward like a cone. This distorted shape causes vision issues, including diplopia.

Diplopia and vertigo

Vertigo is a sensation that the environment around you is spinning in circles. It’s usually caused by issues in your inner ear. However, if you’re experiencing severe double vision, you might feel vertigo, too. Diplopia and vertigo are usually symptoms of other issues in your body.

Diplopia and diabetes

If you have diabetes, your body isn’t able to properly process and use glucose from the food you eat. Diabetes can damage your eyes and cause symptoms like diplopia and serious issues like diabetes-related retinopathy.

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