Double Vision Experiences?

[HisNameWasMike]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone else had had this before? Started with double vision on 27th. It's affecting both eyes as it goes away when I close one. The double images are horizontal. At first it was only happening at a distance but now it is affecting close up too and I can't get about very well because I can't see! I tried to get into the opticians yesterday and today but no appointments available so I've got to try Monday. Obviously google is convincing me I have a tumour or aneurysm. Anyone had this and it turn out to be something manageable?

See GP ASAP. Sudden onset of double vision could be for multiple reasons. Your GP can do a basic Neuro examination and take it from there. I hope you are feeling better soon. Is your sight test up to date OP?

Yes, I've had this for about 12-15 years . It came out of the blue and if I close one eye it goes away.

My optician referred me to the eye clinic at the hospital and after a load of tests they told me they had no idea what it was.

One consultant told me that it would be easyish to clear or at least help using Botox injections into the back of my eye.
Sounds nasty but I would have done it .

My chief consultant and his side kick laughed their socks of when I told them. They obviously didn't get on with her. They were both very unpleasant. I was literally told, "Oh by the way we think you have something growing on your brainstorm. Don't Google".

When I saw the female consultant she said "No he's wrong. I see this a lot ".
Honestly the infighting was quite incredible.

Anyway, the upshot is that I wear glasses with a prism. Lots of people do and it's fine. You also get used to walking about with one eye closed. :-)

I was told it could have been caused by my thyroid, but as yet there is no actual evidence that this is the case.

I hope yours is sorted out for you. It is a nuisance but it'll be fine.

Hello, I have this! It started a year ago for me. Double vision with both eyes open, stops when I close one. Did you have a squint (strabismus) as a child? If you did or still do, it may be caused by that. That's the reason for mine - the eye muscles have weakened over time, the squint has slightly moved, and my brain is now unable to merge the two images together any more. I now have to wear glasses with one lens frosted as there is no way to fix it for me. However for many people prism lenses work, or surgery.

If you don't have any history of squint, it's more likely to be something more serious. Go to an optician, not a GP. They are far more experienced in these issues and can test your eyes, look at your optic nerve, and refer you if necessary ( I was referred to Orthoptics from my optician. My GP didn't have a clue)

Other causes of double vision can be things like MS, an autoimmune disease called myesthenia gravis, sometimes tumours etc. So you do need to be seen asap, if you call and explain you have double vision they should see you very quickly. Let me know how you get on, I have a lot of experience in this issue!

I also have double vision. I had a lazy eye as a child which went away and apparently came back. It just started one day around 4-5 years ago with no reason whatsoever (I was referred to ophthalmology for tests and they found nothing). I have prisms in my glasses lenses which stops it.

It really should be checked out and more serious conditions discounted

I know of someone who was taken to hospital with double vision and feeling ‘not right’. It turned out they had had a stroke and had a blood pressure reading of 230/120, which can be fatal. They were treated immediately and their eyes are much better now a month later, and blood pressure is under control.

I dont have a squint but I was diagnosed with something called Brown Syndrome when I was about 8. (I'm 42 now). It is an eye movement abnormality caused by a muscle in the eye. It can present as a squint sometimes.

I should have gone to the optician earlier in the week I just hoped I could ignore it and it would go away. Now of course they're all shut until Tuesday and I'm panicking!

I get severe double vision on and off. Ive been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. Diagnosed by bloods. Maybe it is something to do with yourBrown syndrome. Hope you get your appointment soon.

I think that could quite easily be the cause. I've seen 4 different opticians now and 2 orthoptists, and they all agreed it's possible for eye muscles to weaken with age (I'm 10 years younger than you but it's already happened to me). When your eye muscles move your brain is suddenly getting two images it's not used to, and as an adult it is no longer able to merge them together like it can as a child.

Try not to panic. If you're not experiencing any other worrisome symptoms you are most likely ok. You have a history of eye muscles issues, so it's more likely that than something else. I was worried about a brain tumour too but when I asked my GP about it he said I'd have other symptoms too if that was the case.

Try not to panic OP, it will be ok, but it’s a symptom that cannot be ignored and needs investigation. You can’t do anything, til Tues. It may even resolve itself by then but still see Optom & GP.

I woke up with this august 4th. GP sent me straight to optician who sent me straight to hospital for CT to check for stroke/tumour/aneurism - whilst I was in the scanner, neurology were put on the case and I’ve been diagnosed with MS. Hurrah 2022! 😔

I've had this for a couple of years. The optometrist didn't seem concerned and just added a prism to my prescription.

I've managed to book an appointment for Monday as Boots are open. Thanks for the reassurance guys!

I was told by the female eye specialist that it was a muscle weakness brought on my the ageing process.
Fingers crossed for you but do get it checked ASAP.