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Doctor insights on: What Does It Mean If You Have Double Vision When You Wake Up

Can be: Binocular double vision typically indicates an eye alignment issue, which can be neurological (vascular, hemorrhagic event or mass), mechanical in terms of affecting the extraocular muscles motility, neurologic in terms of the nerve input to the muscles.

A few possibilities: Double vision can be in one eye alone (monocular) or can be present only when both eyes are open (binocular). Monocular diplopia can be caused by dry eyes, cornea injury, cataracts and other conditions. Binocular diplopia is caused by misalignment of the eyes, and can be seen in strokes, diabetes, aneurysms, strabismus and injury to name a few. See a doctor immediately to determine the cause.

See a neurologist: Please see a neurologist about this.

A medical emergency: If these are new symptoms and came on rather fast, I would suggest getting to the er fast--call paramedic (don't drive yourself as you are not seeing well). I fear that you possibly having a stroke at this time. Other neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis may cause same, but I would not take that chance at this time. Please get evaluated asap. Best of luck to you.

It certainly can be: A lot of people have a "phoria": the inability to keep the 2 eyes looking together when they are tired. This is quite common, and usually lasts for only a few moments. Phorias do not need to be treated. If you experience double vision at random times of the day or the double vision does not go away, you should see an eye doctor. You may want to see one anyway if only to reassure you.

Loss of control: There is a condition called a phoria, which occurs when people who have otherwise straight eyes get tired or have decreased consciousness (or get drunk). The eyes "cross" temporarily but can be forced to straighten with effort. There is no danger, but it is a definite sign that you are intoxicated.

Myasthenia Gravis?: If you are referring to myasthenia gravis, double vision is a very common symptom. You should return to see your physician.

See your PCP: For consultation. The neurological exam might help find an etiology for this symptom or rule out any other pathology. Take care.

What it could be is: ...you turned into a cream sauce on the highway after a major wreck caused by your double vision, and a lot of other people dead or injured, too. The way to find out what it could be is to see a doctor and have him/her work it up. By the time you get to the cream-sauce stage, it'll be a bit late for that.

You: You need to be sure that the double vision is only in one eye. Cover your left eye and see if it is single, then cover the left one and do the same. If you only have double vision with both eyes open, it is most likely a problem with a nerve controlling one eye movement muscle. This is seen most often in diabetic patients, and those with high blood pressure. So if your double vision is only with both eyes open, you need to see your primary care doctor. If the double vision is truly only in the left eye, then you may have a problem in the retina in the back of your eye. For this problem, you need to see your ophthalmologist, and have the dilate that eye.

See MD: See an ophthalmologist soon to evaluate these symptoms.

Double vision: True binocular diplopia is due to misalignment of the eyes. This can be due to a CNS or PNS lesion. "Double vision" in just one eye is ALWAYS an eye problem, NEVER a brain or nerve problem. So one is nervous system, the other is eye. These are very important diagnostic distinctions. "Eye" is what ophthalmologists do; "nervous system" is what neuro-ophthalmologists do.

No, but you need to: See your doctor for vision screening & referral to an ophthalmologist, an M.D. eye doctor. Your doctor will perform physical & neurological exams to determine if you also need to see a neurologist.

See your doctor: I would need more information about your current medical issues, but the symptoms you describe are concerning and require evaluation by your doctor soon.

Probably not the med: These symptoms don't sound like things the thyroid med would cause. Perhaps you have a problem with circulation or the brain. See your doctor and get checked as soon as possible. Good luck!

Could be anything: When I write my radiology reports, I don't expect the ordering doctor to ONLY say, "You have a brain lesion, see this guy/gal." The MRI report should have been discussed with you in more detail.
If the ordering doc had no idea what the radiologist was describing, he/she should have called the radiologist directly before your office visit.
See the neurologist soon and get this cleared up.

No, but you can: Depending on the cause of double vision, contacts may help, or at the very least they will not make matters worse. Double vision caused by prescription problems will improve with either glasses or contacts. If the problem is caused by misalignment of the eyes rather than a prescription issue, contacts will not help, but glasses with prism could.

Muscle imbalance: The most common cause is muscle imbalance between the eyes. If this is the cause then covering each eye will eliminate the double vision. If you cover each eye and it is still blurry, you most likely need glasses. An eye care professional can correct these problems.

Many causes: Temporary doubling can occur from drug overdose, alcohol, and other drugs. Constant double vision can occur from trauma, muscle paralysis, vascular events in the brain and breakdown of fusion. Doubling in one eye can be caused by astigmatism, cataracts and certain corneal changes. Best to see your ophthalmologist if you have this problem

Usually: Most cases of double vision can be fixed with prisms and/or eye muscle surgery.