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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
Double vision can come from the eyes, the muscles that move them, or the brain. Sudden double vision is an emergency; chronic double vision still deserves a workup.
What helps
Here's the plan — and why it works.
First step
Find the cause
A detailed eye-movement and neurological exam identifies whether it's muscle, nerve, or brain — and how urgent the workup is. Imaging is often needed.
Temporary
Patching one eye
Covering one eye eliminates double vision but isn't a long-term solution. Useful while the workup is in progress or recovery is underway.
Optical
Prism glasses
A prism built into one lens shifts the image so the two eyes' views overlap. Effective for many small-angle, stable cases.
Surgical
Strabismus surgery
When prisms aren't enough — or the angle is too large — eye-muscle surgery realigns the eyes. Often very effective.
Same-day emergency if
Double vision starts suddenly, especially with a droopy eyelid, large pupil, severe headache, weakness, or speech changes. These can be signs of a stroke, brain aneurysm, or cranial nerve palsy needing immediate care.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Why does one eye see double?+
Monocular diplopia usually means light is splitting before it reaches the retina. Common causes: dry eye, astigmatism, early cataract, or corneal irregularity.
Can stress cause double vision?+
Stress alone rarely causes double vision. Fatigue can worsen mild misalignment in someone who normally compensates, but persistent doubling deserves a workup.
Will prism glasses work for me?+
Prisms work well for small, stable angles. For larger or variable misalignment, surgery often gives a better result.
Is double vision always serious?+
Sudden double vision is treated as serious until proven otherwise. Chronic, slowly progressive doubling is usually less urgent but still needs evaluation.
Will my double vision come back after surgery?+
Strabismus surgery is very effective, but some patients need a small adjustment or a follow-up procedure. Your surgeon will discuss expected outcomes for your specific cause.