Diplopia (Double Vision) near Chicago, IL

Diplopia, commonly known as double vision or ghost images, is a serious eye condition that occurs when you see two images of a subject at once. Double vision has several main causes, ranging from mild to serious, but it is typically caused by an underlying condition. Diplopia can occur in one eye (monocular diplopia) or both eyes (binocular diplopia). If you have noticed you are seeing doubling or overlapping of objects, it is important to get medical attention. At Kirk Eye Center, our eye care team is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating double vision. When you come in for your appointment, we will review your medical records and current symptoms to ensure that you receive the best treatment to address your double vision. We invite you to contact us for an appointment at our office located in either River Forest or Gurnee, IL.

Patients who have double vision see things duplicated or appearing twice. It can also seem as if objects are blurry or on top of each other. Double vision can occur by itself or with other symptoms, like pain around the eyes, nausea, headaches, sagging eyelids, or eye muscle weakness. It is also possible for your eyes to be visibly misaligned (crossed eyes or a lazy eye). Since diplopia affects your spatial awareness, it may be difficult to drive or see distant objects.

Double vision can be caused by many different conditions, such as a minor eye problem, like dry eye. It could also indicate a more serious disease, such as keratoconus, cataracts, or corneal dystrophies. Double vision is also a less common side effect of laser vision surgery, like LASIK or PRK. Or, diplopia could be a symptom of an acute neurological condition, such as a brain tumor, brain swelling, stroke, brain hemorrhage, or cerebral edema. Double vision can also appear following a head injury.

Before creating your personalized treatment plan, your ophthalmologist or optometrist will determine what is causing your condition. This is done through a comprehensive eye exam and visual tests conducted at our office. For common conditions, like dry eye, we may prescribe lubricating eye drops. If we discover that your double vision is permanent, special eyewear can be used to help your symptoms. A more serious eye problem or a neurological condition could indicate that either surgery or a referral to a specialist is the best course of action.

Double vision can signal a more serious condition so it should not be ignored. If you are experiencing issues with seeing double, the professional eye care team at Kirk Eye Center in River Forest or Gurnee, IL can provide a diagnosis and determine your best course of treatment. We encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment.