Home / Eye Symptoms / Double Vision
Double vision (diplopia) care in Bellflower
Double vision (diplopia) can come from something as simple as dry eye or as serious as a nerve problem. A quick check, and an eye exam, tell the difference.
Sudden double vision is an emergency, especially with a drooping eyelid, severe headache, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
One eye or both eyes?
Try this: cover one eye. If the double image is still there, it’s monocular double vision, which usually starts in the eye itself, from dry eye, astigmatism, cataracts or an irregular cornea. These causes are often very treatable.
If the double image goes away when either eye is covered, it’s binocular double vision: your eyes aren’t lining up. Mild alignment problems can often be helped with prism glasses. Sudden binocular double vision can be a sign of a stroke or nerve problem and needs emergency care.
Seen by Dr. Mai in Bellflower
Most symptom visits are billed to medical insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal plans. Call early in the day for the best chance at a same-day visit.
What can cause double vision?
Most causes are very treatable. A proper eye exam tells you which one you’re dealing with.
Dry eye
An uneven tear film can create a ghost image in one eye that clears when you blink.
Astigmatism or an old prescription
Uncorrected focusing errors can split images, often in one eye.
Cataracts
A clouding lens can cause double or ghost images in the affected eye.
Keratoconus & corneal changes
An irregular cornea can create multiple images; specialty lenses often help.
Eye alignment problems
When the eyes don’t point together, the brain sees two images. Prism glasses can help mild cases.
Nerve, muscle & health conditions
Diabetes, thyroid eye disease, stroke and other conditions can affect the nerves and muscles that move the eyes.
When should you see an eye doctor?
Book an eye exam if…
- Double vision that comes and goes over days or weeks
- A ghost or shadow image in one eye
- Double vision when you’re tired, reading or on screens
- Double vision only when looking in certain directions
- You have diabetes or thyroid disease and notice changes
Get emergency care if…
- Sudden double vision, especially with both eyes open
- Double vision with a drooping eyelid, severe headache or eye pain
- Double vision with weakness, numbness, slurred speech or face drooping (call 911)
- Double vision after a head injury
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If we’re open and it isn’t life-threatening, call us right away at (562) 867-4716.
How we find the cause and treat it
Your visit is with Dr. Loi Thanh Mai. Our team speaks English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Cover test & history
We find out whether it’s one eye or both, and when it happens.
Vision & alignment testing
We measure your prescription and how well your eyes work together.
Eye health exam
A detailed look at the cornea, lens, retina and optic nerve.
Treatment or referral
Updated glasses, prism lenses or dry eye care, or a prompt referral to a specialist when needed.
Simple steps that may help
These tips can ease mild symptoms, but they don’t replace an eye exam, especially if symptoms are new, getting worse, or affect your vision.
- Cover one eye to see whether the double image goes away, and note which eye
- Don’t drive while you’re seeing double
- Note when it happens: when tired, reading, or looking in one direction
- Use preservative-free artificial tears if your eyes feel dry
- Bring your current glasses to your visit
Double Vision: common questions
Have a question about your symptoms? Call (562) 867-4716.
Is double vision an emergency?
Sudden double vision, especially with both eyes open, or with headache, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking, needs emergency care right away. Call 911 or go to the ER. Double vision that came on slowly should still be checked soon.
What’s the difference between monocular and binocular double vision?
Monocular double vision stays when you cover one eye and usually comes from the eye itself, like dry eye, astigmatism or cataracts. Binocular double vision goes away when either eye is covered and means the eyes aren’t lining up.
Can glasses fix double vision?
Sometimes. An updated prescription can fix some one-eye double vision, and prism glasses can help mild eye-alignment problems by shifting the images so they line up.
Do you treat eye alignment problems?
We evaluate double vision and prescribe prism glasses when they’re a good fit. When vision therapy or further care is needed, such as for nerve or eye-muscle causes, we refer you to the right specialist and share our findings.
Is a double vision visit covered by insurance?
Double vision is a medical concern, so visits are typically billed to medical insurance, including Medicare and Medi-Cal plans.