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If you see one object but it appears as two things, you may experience double vision or the medical language is called diplopia. These objects can be seen side by side, one on top of the other, or a combination of the two. So, what causes diplopia? Read on to find out.
What is diplopia?
Diplopia is a vision disorder in which the patient will see two images of one object that are close together (double vision). This condition should be considered as a serious condition, because several causes require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
In some cases, the patient's vision can improve if the patient directs an object toward or away from his face, squints, or adds light in the room. However, there are also some people who are unable to improve their vision.
Diplopia is divided into two types, namely:
- Monocular diplopia. Double vision problems that only occur in one eye. The condition will continue even when the normal eye is closed.
- Binocular diplopia. Double vision problems that occur in both eyes.
Both types of diplopia can be temporary, some are permanent, it all depends on the cause.
Causes of monocular diplopia
Several conditions that can cause monocular diplopia include:
- Astigmatism - Abnormal curvature of the front surface of the cornea.
- Keratoconus - The cornea gradually becomes thin and conical.
- Pterygium - A condition in which the growth of a thin mucous membrane that covers the white part of the eyeball. This condition can occur in one or both eyes at once. In fact, if not treated immediately, the thickening can extend to the cornea of the eye so that it can interfere with the sufferer's vision.
- Cataract - The lens gradually becomes opaque or appears cloudy. Cataract is an eye condition that often occurs and usually occurs in older men and women. In addition, risk factors can also occur if a person experiences eye trauma or long-term diabetes, smokes, uses steroid drugs or is undergoing radiation treatment.
- Lens dislocation - Conditions where the lens moves, shifts, or changes out of place. This can be caused by trauma to the eye or a condition known as Marfan's syndrome.
- Swollen eyelids - This condition can press on the front of the eye causing visual discomfort
- Dry eyes - A condition in which your eyes don't produce enough tears.
- There is a problem in the retina - Double vision can also occur when the surface of the retina is not perfectly smooth, which can result from a variety of causes.
Causes of binocular diplopia
Several conditions that can cause binocular diplopia include:
- Cockeye - The eye muscles that are connected to the brain do not work properly so that the eye movements are different, even though the two eyes should move in the same direction. this condition generally occurs in children.
- Damage to the nerves that control the extraocular muscles - some medical conditions resulting from diseases of the nerves of the brain or spinal cord such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and brain tumors.
- Diabetes - This disease can cause problems with the nerves that control eye muscle movement. Sometimes this can happen before the person realizes that they have diabetes.
- Myasthenia gravis - It is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes the muscles of the body to tire easily and become weak. This occurs because a person's immune system is experiencing a disorder that attacks healthy tissues and nerves in the body.
- Graves' disease - This condition is a type of disorder in the body's immune system that is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism - an overgrowth of the thidroid hormone. The thyroid is an endocrine gland that has an important role and is located in the neck where thyroid hormones are produced to control body activities.
- Trauma to the eye muscles - The eye socket muscles can be injured as a result of trauma from injury or fractures around the eye socket.
