Diplopia
Clinic
- Diplopia is the medical term for double vision or seeing double
- The etiology of diplopia is either eye misalignment if diplopia is binocular or an optical phenomenon if it is monocular. Eye misalignment can occur due to a variety of causes.
- Innervation to extraocular muscles is provided by the 3rd, 4th, and 6th cranial nerves; thus, all three have to be working well on each side in order to maintain both eyes in the primary position and aligned with each other.
- The nuclei of all three of these cranial nerves originate in the brainstem (3rd and 4th in the midbrain and 6th in the pons).
- Diplopia can be one of the first signs of a systemic disease, particularly to a muscular or neurological process, and it may disrupt a person's balance, movement, or reading abilities.
Causes
| Infectious/ Autoimmune | Neurological | Drugs | Ophthalmologic | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botulism
|
Atypical parkinsonisms Esp
|
Haloperidol | Cataract | Sinusitis |
| Diabetes | Damaged 3th, 4th & 6th cranial nerve | Fluphenazine | Lasik complications | Abscess |
| Graves disease | Migraine headaches | Chlorpromazine | Keratoconus | Trauma |
| GBS | Strabismus | Cannabis | Aniseikonia | |
| Lyme disease | Increased ICP (compressing 6th cranial nerve) | Opioids | ||
| MS | Anisometropia | Drunkenness | ||
| Myasthenia gravis | Wernicke's syndrome | Salicylism | ||
| Orbital myositis | Brain tumor | Antipsychotics | ||
| Fluoroquinolone antibiotics |
Related disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Papilledema
Related entities
Miasms
Remedies
Gelsemium – For diplopia with Headache
Gelsemium is prepared from the bark of the root of plant Gelsemium Sempervirens commonly known as yellow jasmine. The natural order of this plant is Loganiaceae. Gelsemium is beneficial for diplopia when attended with a headache. Pain above eyes and across the forehead is felt. A band like sensation is felt around the head. Fullness in the head is marked. In cases needing Gelsemium, there is a double vision mostly when looking sideways. The eyeballs feel sore when moved and there maybe vertigo present. In a few cases, ptosis ( droopy eyelids) may be present. There is heaviness of eyes along with weak eyesight. This remedy is also indicated in cases of diplopia with astigmatism.
2. Arnica – For Diplopia in case of Eye Injury (Bruise)
Arnica is prepared from the root of plant Arnica Montana of the natural order Compositae. Arnica is helpful for cases of diplopia from eye injury (bruise around the eye). Double vision is accompanied by vertigo and this gets worse upon looking downwards. The eye feels painful, sore, red and swollen. Pain in the eye may be shooting and tearing in nature. The eyes also feel heavy with a sensation of great weight. There may also be a headache along with the above symptoms.
3. Zincum Met – For Diplopia with Squint
Zincum Met is a helpful medicine for diplopia with a squint. In cases requiring Zincum Met left eye is more affected with double vision as compared to the right eye. In addition to double vision, the objects may also appear elongated. Eyes may be weak with dim vision. Pain in the eyes may also be felt. Dryness in the eyes is another attending symptom.
4. Causticum – For Diplopia with Ptosis (Droopy Eyelids)
Causticum is useful for diplopia cases where ptosis (droopy eyelids) is present. Eyelids feel heavy. Diplopia may worse on looking sideways where Causticum is indicated. A pressing pain may be felt in the eyes. Dryness in eyes is present. Eyes may also be sensitive to light
5. Natrum Mur – For Diplopia with Weak Eyes
Natrum Mur is indicated for diplopia with weak eyes. There is eye strain, and the eyes get tired upon reading or writing. The vision may be blurred and the eye muscles get weak. The eyelids feel heavy along with a pain in the eyes.
6.Phytolacca – For Diplopia with Vertigo
Phytolacca is prepared from plant Phytolacca Decandra of the natural order Phytolaccaceae. Phytolacca is significant medicine for diplopia attended with vertigo. In many cases, a headache is also present. There is dimness of vision, sensitivity to light and dull pain in the eyes.
7. Belladonna – For Diplopia with Pain in Eyes
Belladonna is prepared from a plant named Deadly Nightshade of the natural order Solanaceae. Belladonna offers help in cases of diplopia with pain in the eyes. The objects may also feel crooked with double vision. The pain is felt deep in the eyes and maybe shooting, aching or stinging in nature. The eye pain gets worse by movement. There is a marked sensitivity to light and the eyes feel dry along with a burning sensation. There may be a pain in the forehead and temple region along with inflammation or ulcer of the cornea.
8. Syphilinum – For Vertical Diplopia
Syphilinum is well-indicated for managing vertical diplopia. One image of an object is seen lower than the other where Syphilinum is required. Pain in eyes may be present that is most worse at the night time. Other attending complaints that may be present includes droopy eyelids, strabismus.
9. Pulsatilla – For Horizontal Diplopia
Pulsatilla is prepared from a plant Pulsatilla named Pulsatilla Nigricans of the natural order Ranunculaceae. Pulsatilla is a useful medicine for cases of horizontal diplopia. Oversensitivity to light, stitches in eyes, pressure in eyes and dryness of eyes are few attending symptoms to double vision in cases where Pulsatilla is indicated. Complaint of keratoconus may be present in some cases.