Double vision may occur suddenly then disappear, but other people may experience double vision continuously. In either case, a person with changes in vision should contact an eye doctor immediately. The doctor may need to place a prism in an eyeglass prescription to bring the images into one, single image. Other people may require surgery or other treatment options. However, in order to treat double vision, a doctor must first determine the possible cause for the vision change.
Cataracts
The eye has a natural lens that directs light onto the back of the eye, which helps to provide vision. As a part of aging, the protein in the lens groups together, forming patches of cloudiness, states the National Eye Foundation. The lens hardens and often turns yellow, which mutes the crisp colors. Doctors refer to this aging of the lens as a cataract. In some people, the changes in the lens may distort vision and result in double vision. The cataract may form differently in each eye, which may result in double vision in one eye. Since the cataract continues to harden and alter the lens, the double vision may improve with these changes in the lens. However, once the cataract affects vision, a person may require cataract surgery in order to restore vision.
Strabismus
Strabismus may also cause double vision. This eye muscle condition occurs when each eye looks in a different direction. Since the eyes focus on different points, double vision may occur in some people. Children commonly have strabismus, and an eye doctor may recommend patching one eye to encourage the two eyes to work together. However, some cases may require muscle surgery to realign the eyes. Adults may have an onset of strabismus as well, which may result from poisoning, eye injury or a stroke, explains MedlinePlus. An adult with strabismus may require surgical correction to resolve the condition and accompanying changes to vision, such as double vision.
Graves' Disease
Graves' disease commonly accompanies thyroid disease and may cause double vision. The eyes often take on a bulging appearance, called proptosis or exopthalmos. This results when the immune system attacks the tissues behind the eye, causing inflammation of these tissues and muscles, explains MayoClinic.com. Double vision in Grave's Disease results from the inflammation of the muscles that control eye movement. Thyroid medications may help reduce inflammation and ocular symptoms, though this does not guarantee that symptoms will ease. For some, the inflammation may remain for a few months, or even years, according to the New York Thyroid Eye Center.
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