Double Vision
Both eyes must work together to create a single image in the brain
called binocular vision. In order to avoid double vision both eyes
must be focused on the same object and the eyes must perceive the
object on the same vertical and horizontal plane. If this alignment
is not perfect the images sent to the brain are dissimilar and
the brain registers two different pictures simultaneously causing
double vision. Double vision is when the brain sees two copies of
the same object at the same time. The two objects can be next to
each other horizontally causing horizontal diplopia, one on top of
the other causing vertical diplopia, or at an oblique angle.
Each eye has six muscles, called extraocular muscles, that control
its movements, and those muscles are innervated by four different
cranial nerves; the third, fourth, sixth and seventh nerves. Four of
the muscles control simple movements such as up, down, right and
left, and the inferior and superior oblique muscles
are responsible for tilting and rotating the eye.
A muscle or a cranial nerve disorder can cause an extraocular muscle
to be weak or not function at all. As a result the two eyes send
dissimilar images to the brain causing the patient to complain of
double vision.
Treatment options include:
Eye Muscle Surgery
Orthoptics -- Pre- and/or post-surgical
Vision Therapy -- Non-surgical or in conjunction with surgery, as appropriate (includes the use of prism lenses).
Double Vision and Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
If an eye turn is constant in infants or children, the suppressed eye can become amblyopic (lazy eye) from non-use. Amblyopia also causes a loss of depth perception and stereo vision (stereopsis).
Although suppression of double vision can cause lazy eye, it is very important to understand that there are various causes and treatments for double vision and that crossed eyes and lazy eye are not the same condition.
For more information or to make an appointment call Zaffater Eye Center: 318-747-5838 or Toll Free: 866-480-3937.