Diplopia

Double vision, seeing two images of one object

Overview

Diplopia is the perception of two images of a single object. Binocular diplopia disappears when either eye is covered and results from misalignment of the eyes, for example from cranial nerve palsies, thyroid eye disease, myasthenia gravis, orbital fractures, or decompensated strabismus. Monocular diplopia persists with one eye closed and usually arises within the eye itself, such as from cataract, dry eye, or irregular corneal shape. Because new binocular double vision can be a sign of a neurological problem such as stroke or aneurysm, it is evaluated promptly.