Binocular diplopia is characterized by the involvement of neural circuits: normally, each eye gives an image, and the brain merges them. But with binocular diplopia, the brain can no longer integrate the two images at the same time: diplopia can then be vertical or horizontal.
Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger teams up with journalist Esther Buitekant on this topic, for French magazine Femme Actuelle.
What causes binocular diplopia?
Unlike monocular diplopia, which affects only one eye, this ocular pathology affects both eyes. It can originate from many different conditions and pathologies:
- muscular damage;
- tumor-related nerve damage;
- inflammatory disease;
- intracranial hypertension;
- infectious pathology;
- cranial nerve palsy;
- head trauma;
- cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.
Take note that seeing double while feeling severe eye pain at the same time is not a normal condition. It is an ophthalmological emergency and you must consult a vision professional quickly.
Why do people suffer from binocular diplopia after 60 ?
Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger explains that, for people over 60, binocular diplopia can be caused by an aneurysm, a carotid artery dissection or even an accident. She points out that the thyroid is also often the cause of this eye condition.
It can also be caused by other pathologies: we invite you to read the Femme Actuelle article (in French) below to find out more!