Home
Rodale Bookshelf
Symptoms, Their Causes & Cures: Double Vision

Chapter List

Special Limited Time Offer!
Order today and
Save an Extra 15%!
Use coupon code: LSAVE15

Double Vision

WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR

* Any instance of double vision should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

What Your Symptom Is Telling You

Andy Capp—the comic strip Cockney with an overfondness for beer—knows he's stayed at the saloon too long when he comes home and sees two wives standing at the doorway. But double vision is no laughing matter.

"Some people who report double vision are actually seeing a fainter, ghost image or overlapping shadow vision, rather than two distinct images," says George Sanborn, M.D., associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Virginia Commonwealth University/ Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. This is often an early sign of cataracts, he says.

If you see two totally separate images, it means that your two eyes are not pointed at the same target. This misalignment can be from an abnormality in the muscles or nerves that control the eyes' movement. Graves' disease, for example, is a thyroid condition that gradually thickens the eye muscles so that they no longer move properly. And if you're seeing double and also feel dizzy, there's a chance that a stroke is affecting the nerves that control your eye alignment.

You may also begin to suddenly see double if you receive a blow to the head.

Symptom Relief

No matter what the cause, if you're seeing double, see your doctor on the double. "Double vision is a natural warning bell that something may be seriously wrong," says Dr. Sanborn. Depending on the cause of your problem, you may require either eyeglasses or surgery to help re-align the eye muscles. As for shadow images, they will generally vanish once cataracts are surgically removed and special glasses are prescribed.

Shop with Us: Brands A-Z; Products A-Z; Autoship; Ways to Shop; Member Discounts

Customer Service: Contact Us; Help Desk; Shipping Policy; Return Policy; Ask a question; Track Your Order

My Account: My Account; My Order History; My Shopping Cart

Health Library: Vitamin Guide; Guide to Herbs; Health Concerns; Home Remedies; Seniors Health; Women's Health

About Us: Our Blog; Our Philosophy; Corporate Discounts; Affliliate Program; Terms of Use

Featured Partners

Email Sign up: Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!

Call us M-F 9am-5pm: 1-800-439-5506

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the manufacturer's advertising material. MotherNature is not responsible for any statements or claims that various manufacturers make about their products. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. You should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.All discounts are taken from suggested retail prices. Prices are subject to change.