Jump to content

Diplopia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Arjayay (talk | contribs) at 13:55, 18 December 2023 (Rm signature from article). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Double vision" redirects here. For other uses, see Double vision (disambiguation).
Diplopia
Other namesDouble vision
One way a person might experience double vision
SpecialtyNeurology, ophthalmology

Diplopia is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object that may be displaced horizontally or vertically in relation to each other.[1] Also called double vision, it is a loss of visual focus under regular conditions, and is often voluntary. However, when occurring involuntarily, it results in impaired function of the extraocular muscles, where both eyes are still functional, but they cannot turn to target the desired object.[2] Problems with these muscles may be due to mechanical problems, disorders of the neuromuscular junction, disorders of the cranial nerves (III, IV, and VI) that innervate the muscles, and occasionally disorders involving the supranuclear oculomotor pathways or ingestion of toxins.[3]

Diplopia can be one of the first signs of a systemic disease, particularly to a muscular or neurological process,[4] and it may disrupt a person's balance, movement, or reading abilities.[2][5]

Causes

Diplopia has a diverse range of ophthalmologic, infectious, autoimmune, neurological, and neoplastic causes:[6]

  • Diagnosis

    Diplopia is diagnosed mainly by information from the patient. Doctors may use blood tests, physical examinations,[12] computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to find the underlying cause.[13]

    Classification

    One of the first steps in diagnosing diplopia is often to see whether one of two major classifications may be eliminated. That involves blocking one eye to see which symptoms are evident in each eye alone. Persisting blurry or double vision with one eye closed is classified as monocular diplopia.[14]

    Binocular

    Binocular diplopia is the other one in which the blurring of vision occurs only when the patient looks through both eyes simultaneously. It is common and occurs in approximately 10.0% to 40.0% of zygomatic complex injuries. Furthermore, diplopia may be transient or persistent. Inadequate diagnosis and treatment at improper times and tethering or fibrosis of muscles may lead to persistent diplopia. [15]

    Binocular diplopia is double vision arising as a result of strabismus[16](in layman's terms "cross-eyed"), the misalignment of the two eyes relative to each other, either esotropia (inward) or exotropia (outward). In such a case while the fovea of one eye is directed at the object of regard, the fovea of the other is directed elsewhere, and the image of the object of regard falls on an extrafoveal area of the retina. Acute diplopia is a diagnostic challenge. The most common cause of acute diplopia are ocular motor nerve palsies (OMP).[17]

    The brain calculates the visual direction of an object based upon the position of its image relative to the fovea. Images falling on the fovea are seen as being directly ahead, while those falling on retina outside the fovea may be seen as above, below, right, or left of straight ahead depending upon the area of retina stimulated. Thus, when the eyes are misaligned, the brain perceives two images of one target object, as the target object simultaneously stimulates different, noncorresponding, retinal areas in either eye, thus producing double vision.[18]

    This correlation of particular areas of the retina in one eye with the same areas in the other is known as retinal correspondence. This relationship also gives rise to an associated phenomenon of binocular diplopia, although one that is rarely noted by those experiencing diplopia. Because the fovea of one eye corresponds to the fovea of the other, images falling on the two foveae are projected to the same point in space. Thus, when the eyes are misaligned, two different objects will be perceived as superimposed in the same space. This phenomenon is known as 'visual confusion'.[19]

    The brain naturally guards against double vision. In an attempt to avoid double vision, the brain can sometimes ignore the image from one eye, a process known as suppression. The ability to suppress is to be found particularly in childhood when the brain is still developing. Thus, those with childhood strabismus almost never complain of diplopia, while adults who develop strabismus almost always do. While this ability to suppress might seem an entirely positive adaptation to strabismus, in the developing child, this can prevent the proper development of vision in the affected eye, resulting in amblyopia. Some adults are also able to suppress their diplopia, but their suppression is rarely as deep or as effective and takes much longer to establish, thus they are not at risk of permanently compromising their vision. In some cases, diplopia disappears without medical intervention, but in other cases, the cause of the double vision may still be present.

    Certain people with diplopia who cannot achieve fusion and yet do not suppress may display a certain type of spasm-like irregular movement of the eyes in the vicinity of the fixation point (see: Horror fusionis).

    Monocular

    Diplopia can also occur when viewing with only one eye; this is called monocular diplopia, or where the patient perceives more than two images, monocular polyopia. While serious causes rarely may be behind monocular diplopia symptoms, this is much less often the case than with binocular diplopia.[14] The differential diagnosis of multiple image perception includes the consideration of such conditions as corneal surface keratoconus, subluxation of the lens, a structural defect within the eye, a lesion in the anterior visual cortex, or nonorganic conditions, but diffraction-based (rather than geometrical) optical models have shown that common optical conditions, especially astigmatism, can also produce this symptom.[20]

    Temporary

    Temporary binocular diplopia can be caused by alcohol intoxication or head injuries, such as concussion (if temporary double vision does not resolve quickly, one should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist immediately). It can also be a side effect of benzodiazepines or opioids, particularly if used in larger doses for recreation, the antiepileptic drugs phenytoin and zonisamide, and the anticonvulsant drug lamotrigine, as well as the hypnotic drug zolpidem and the dissociative drugs ketamine and dextromethorphan. Temporary diplopia can also be caused by tired or strained eye muscles.[21] If diplopia appears with other symptoms such as fatigue and acute or chronic pain, the patient should see an ophthalmologist immediately.[22][23]

    Voluntary

    Some people are able to consciously uncouple their eyes, either by overfocusing closely (i.e., going cross-eyed) or unfocusing. Also, while looking at one object behind another object, the foremost object's image is doubled (for example, placing one's finger in front of one's face while reading text on a computer monitor). In this sense, double vision is neither dangerous nor harmful, and may even be enjoyable. It makes viewing stereograms possible.[24]

    Monocular diplopia may be induced in many individuals, even those with normal eyesight, with simple defocusing experiments involving fine, high-contrast lines.[20]

    Treatment

    The appropriate treatment for binocular diplopia depends upon the cause of the condition producing the symptoms. Efforts must first be made to identify and treat the underlying cause of the problem. Treatment options include eye exercises,[2] wearing an eye patch on alternative eyes,[2][23] prism correction,[25][23][26] and in more extreme situations, surgery[5][27] or botulinum toxin.[28] If your provider diagnoses swelling or inflammation of, or around the nerve, medicines called corticosteroids may be used.

    Sometimes, the condition disappears without treatment. If you have diabetes, you'll be advised to keep tight control of your blood sugar level.

    The provider may prescribe an eye patch to relieve the double vision. The patch can be removed after the nerve heals.

    Surgery or special glasses (prisms) may be advised if there is no recovery in 6 to 12 months.

    If diplopia turns out to be intractable, it can be managed as last resort by obscuring part of the patient's field of view. This approach is outlined in the article on diplopia occurring in association with a condition called horror fusionis.

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Najem K, Margolin E (2021-07-18). "Diplopia". National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMID 28722934. Retrieved 2021-08-22 – via StatPearls.
    2. ^ a b c d O'Sullivan SB, Schmitz TJ (2007). Physical Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, PA: Davis. ISBN 978-0-8036-1247-1.
    3. ^ Blumenfeld H (2010). Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases. Sunderland MA: Sinauer. ISBN 978-0-87893-058-6.
    4. ^ Rucker JC (July 2007). "Oculomotor disorders". Seminars in Neurology. 27 (3): 244–256. doi:10.1055/s-2007-979682. PMID 17577866. S2CID 260321300.
    5. ^ a b Kernich CA (July 2006). "Patient and family fact sheet. Diplopia". The Neurologist. 12 (4): 229–230. doi:10.1097/01.nrl.0000231927.93645.34. PMID 16832242.
    6. ^ "Diplopia - Eye Disorders". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Retrieved 2021-10-27.
    7. ^ Fraunfelder FW, Fraunfelder FT (September 2009). "Diplopia and fluoroquinolones". Ophthalmology. 116 (9): 1814–1817. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2009.06.027. PMID 19643481.
    8. ^ "Diplopia - Eye Disorders - Merck Manuals Professional Edition". merck.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
    9. ^ Goseki T, Suh SY, Robbins L, Pineles SL, Velez FG, Demer JL (2020). "Prevalence of Sagging Eye Syndrome in Adults with Binocular Diplopia". American Journal of Ophthalmology. 209: 55–61. doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2019.09.006. PMC 6911643. PMID 31526795.
    10. ^ Anilkumar, SE, Narendran, K (2022). "Prisms in the treatment of diplopia with strabismus of various etiologies". Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 70 (2): 609–612. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_939_21. PMC 9023992. PMID 35086246.
    11. ^ Johnson, Brooke T, Jameyfield, E, Aakalu, VK (2021). "Optic neuropathy and diplopia from thyroid eye disease update on pathophysiology and treatment". Current Opinion in Neurology. 34 (1): 116–121. doi:10.1097/WCO.0000000000000894. PMC 7853658. PMID 33278144.
    12. ^ Low L, Shah W, MacEwen CJ (November 2015). "Double vision". BMJ. 351: h5385. doi:10.1136/bmj.h5385. PMID 26581615. S2CID 28083094.
    13. ^ Seltman W (30 March 2020). "An Overview of Double Vision". WebMD. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
    14. ^ a b Karmel M (November 2009). "Deciphering Diplopia". EyeNet. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016.
    15. ^ Shabbir, M., Shah, R., Ahmad, M., Issrani, R., Khan, Z., Salah, N. A. Qayyum, Z. (2023). Frequency of diplopia in zygomatic complex Fractures—A cross-sectional descriptive study. International Journal of Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/7631634
    16. ^ Peragallo JH, Pineles SL, Demer JL (June 2015). "Recent advances clarifying the etiologies of strabismus". Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. 35 (2): 185–193. doi:10.1097/WNO.0000000000000228. PMC 4437883. PMID 25724009.
    17. ^ Kremmyda O, Frenzel C, Hüfner K, Goldschagg N, Brem C, Linn J, Strupp M (December 2020). "Acute binocular diplopia: peripheral or central?". Journal of Neurology. 267 (Suppl 1): 136–142. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-10088-y. PMC 7718182. PMID 32797299.
    18. ^ Jain S (March 2022). "Diplopia: Diagnosis and management". Clinical Medicine. 22 (2): 104–106. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2022-0045. PMC 8966821. PMID 35304368.
    19. ^ Buffenn AN (2020). "Diplopia and Strabismus". In Albert D, Miller J, Azar D, Young LH (eds.). Albert and Jakobiec's Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 1–20. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-90495-5_291-1. ISBN 978-3-319-90495-5. S2CID 236868860.
    20. ^ a b Steven M. Archer, MD (December 2007), "Monocular Diplopia Due To Spherocylindrical Refractive Errors", Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc., 105: 252–271, PMC 2258122, PMID 18427616
    21. ^ Kaur K, Gurnani B, Nayak S, Deori N, Kaur S, Jethani J, et al. (October 2022). "Digital Eye Strain- A Comprehensive Review". Ophthalmology and Therapy. 11 (5): 1655–1680. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9. PMC 9434525. PMID 35809192.
    22. ^ Davenport M, Condon B, Lamoureux C, Phipps Johnson JL, Chen J, Rippee MA, Zentz J (Jan 2022). "The University of Kansas Health System Outpatient Clinical Concussion Comprehensive Protocol: An Interdisciplinary Approach". Health Services Insights. 15: 11786329221114759. doi:10.1177/11786329221114759. PMC 9411741. PMID 36034733.
    23. ^ a b c "Cranial mononeuropathy VI". MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
    24. ^ "Instructions on how to view stereograms such as magic eye". FocusIllusion.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2006.
    25. ^ Phillips PH (July 2007). "Treatment of diplopia". Seminars in Neurology. 27 (3): 288–298. doi:10.1055/s-2007-979680. PMID 17577869. S2CID 260316797.
    26. ^ Anilkumar SE, Narendran K (February 2022). "Prisms in the treatment of diplopia with strabismus of various etiologies". Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 70 (2): 609–612. doi:10.4103/ijo.IJO_939_21. PMC 9023992. PMID 35086246.
    27. ^ Wang F, Cao H, Zhang Y, Wang W (2022-03-14). Khan R (ed.). "Analysis of Improvement Time and Influencing Factors of Diplopia after Intermittent Exotropia in Children". Journal of Healthcare Engineering. 2022: 2611225. doi:10.1155/2022/2611225. PMC 8938045. PMID 35320998.
    28. ^ Taub MB (2008). "Botulinum toxin represents a new approach to managing diplopia cases that do not resolve". Journal of the American Optometric Association. 79 (4): 174–175. doi:10.1016/j.optm.2008.01.003.

    Further reading

    Look up diplopia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diplopia&oldid=1190542760"