Double Vision Causes and Natural Treatments

Double Vision Causes and Natural Treatments

Of all of the sudden changes that we can experience with our sight, double vision is probably among the most alarming. Also called diplopia, double vision has a number of causes, but all result in roughly the same problem – seeing one too many of each object you look at.

Most of us have experienced double vision at some point. In most cases, this is intentional. If you haven’t done it before, hold a finger out in front of your nose, then slowly draw it in closer while keeping your eyes focused on it. Your eyes will cross, you’ll suddenly see two fingers instead of one, and anyone watching you will probably laugh.

But in some cases, diplopia is more cause for concern. A number of more serious illnesses and injuries can all cause it. There are a few ways to be prepared for double vision so you can fix it naturally and safely.

Passing Problems

As you probably know, there are several things that can happen that can cause temporary double vision. Let’s start with the stereotypical one. As seen in numerous cartoons, a sharp blow to the head can have you seeing double in a hurry. While this is generally passed off as comical, the reality is anything but. Diplopia that follows head trauma and lasts for more than a few seconds generally indicates some more serious injury. It is a component of what physicians call post-trauma vision syndrome, a collection of symptoms that also includes blurring and perceiving motion where there is none. Clearly, this is not something you should just laugh off.

Having a slightly too wild Saturday night is another way to put yourself on the path to double vision. Alcohol can have a number of neurological effects and one of the functions it seems to affect is the brain’s ability to coordinate eye movements. Have a few too many and you’ll slow down the rate at which your visual system synchronizes information from your two eyes. This can lead to a couple of overlapping channels and, as expected, some double vision.

Double vision is also a hallmark symptom of migraine headaches. Those unlucky enough to have these awful episodes may have “aura” phases that precede actual headaches. Visual effects are the most common during auras, though sensory changes and other symptoms can also appear. For some migraine sufferers, diplopia is consequently an early warning sign of an oncoming attack.

Extreme dry eye, a problem occasionally encountered by office workers who spend too much time on digital devices, can also result in passing double vision. That’s why it’s especially important to remember our 10-10-10 rule if you work on the computer all day – take a break every ten minutes by looking away from your screen for at least ten seconds and focusing on an object that is 10 feet away.

Serious Causes of Double Vision

A number of more serious chronic diseases and conditions can also cause diplopia. We’ll kick this section off by noting that unexpected double vision is nearly always a good reason to start looking around for a doctor.

Strokes, aneurysms, and tumors are all capable of dealing serious damage to the brain. If one of these issues affects the parts of your brain responsible for processing visual information, you could well wind up with double vision, as well as other visual phenomena.

Progressive diseases that affect the nerves can slowly zap the body’s ability to properly use the extraocular muscles responsible for eye movements. This can cause reduce the coordination between eyes and eventually cause double vision. Multiple sclerosis is the best-known disease in this category. More commonly, diabetes can also result in severe nerve damage, giving rise to symptoms similar to those seen in MS, including diplopia.

Double Vision Causes and Natural TreatmentsEven simpler, mechanical problems in the eyes can cause double vision. One such issue is cataracts. Cataracts occur when proteins in the eye turn opaque, blocking and diverting light that is entering the eye. They’re enormously common among older individuals and can easily cause double vision if deposits scatter light and lead the eye to perceive multiples of an object. Infections and injuries to the cornea can also cause double vision. Again, that’s because they may cause a change in the way light enters the eye.

Dealing with Double Vision

In some cases – particularly those involving beer – the best cure for diplopia is to simply wait it out. The effects of alcohol will usually fade overnight. So, even if you’ve gone to bed with double vision, you’ll likely wake up without it. Though we can’t speak to the likelihood of a hangover.

However, in many others, waiting isn’t a good idea at all. In fact, if you notice the sudden onset of double vision, it’s generally a sign that you need to speak up, and potentially seek emergency attention. Double vision, on its own, is generally more annoying than actively dangerous. But, it can be an indication of serious damage to the brain. Strokes, for example, can cause diplopia. If caught early, these and other major incidents can be handled before they cause too much trouble. If left to wait, many have the potential to be fatal.

Preventative Measures

For other, consistent cases, physicians turn to a range of basic therapies. While the practice isn’t as prevalent as before, “pirate patching” or simply covering one eye is a quick and easy fix for binocular double vision. However, it won’t treat any underlying causes and should only be done in concert with more proactive therapy. Prism correction can also be helpful and works by reworking the path that light takes when entering the eye.

Eye vitamins also have their place in treating diplopia. It’s very common for the problem to originate from weak or poorly controlled extraocular muscles. So, incorporating the right nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and herbs into your diet can help restore those muscles to healthy levels of activity. This eliminates some of the primary causes of double vision. Again, the more you strengthen your eyes now, the better your vision will be down the road.

Our Rebuild Your Vision Ocu-Plus Formula Contains All 17 Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbal Supplements to Improve Your Eye Health!

All Natural
Eye Vitamins

Ocu-Plus Formula | Eye VitaminsOrder NowLearn More

All Natural
Daily Multivitamin

Ocu-Plus Complete MultivitaminOrder NowLearn More

Free Eye Exercises

Free Eye ExercisesLearn More

Join or Start the Discussion

  1. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Tina Jorgensen says:

    My boyfriend had 2 strokes from a tear in the neck. He is in hospital with bad double vision and is very unbalanced. They have sent referrals to doctors but there is a waiting list. Read early treatment is the best. What can I do before it’s too late? I already have an eye patch. Do eye specialist come to the hospital ever.?

  2. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Eliza Carraig says:

    My Multiple Sclerosis symptoms started out with muscle weakness and slurred speech. I could not tolerate the medications prescribed for long. I started on MS Herbal Treatment from VHC, the herbal treatment immensely helped my Multiple Sclerosis condition, i had a significant recovery with this natural treatment. Vsit  ww w. vinehealthcenter. c om. My life is back.

  3. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen joanht67 says:

    i found World Herbsclinic on the internet. My husband only used their MS HERBAL FORMULA for three months and He was fully recovered.

  4. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen P R says:

    This article is interesting but very misleading. You do a great job of describing the causes of double vision but do not give treatments like the title of article says. VERY DISAPPOINTED

  5. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen P R says:

    Can you share what supplements worked for you?

  6. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Terri says:

    Interesting. I have had double vision for almost 30 years now, as a result of sinus surgery in my mid 30’s. They said it would resolve, but instead it got worse before it stabilized. So I have had prisms in my glasses since then. I’ve worn glasses since age 9 anyway, due to astigmatism and extreme near-sightedness (what used to be called 20/200), and for over 20 years I have needed bifocals/progressives due to my near-vision deteriorating. The double vision is quite extreme – the left is lower and to the extreme left, the right is higher and to the extreme right, with no overlap at all. No doctor has ever prescribed any type of medication, just $500 lenses that at best, only somewhat improve the double vision. Any thoughts on this? I’m 63.

  7. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Michelle says:

    I have double vision after 50,000 in tests the only thing came back positive was Lyme disease. But half the doctors don’t believe in Lyme disease. The treatment for Lyme disease has not cured the double vision. Two years no
    cure. Only one time I got on IV antibiotics then it was cured. After they stopped IV it came back. My life is hell. It’s too bad for prism glasses and I hate wearing an eyepatch. I try every homeopathic cure known to mankind. Still has not helped. 🙁

  8. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Lou says:

    I had a local anaesthetic and not long after I developed ‘ghosting’ in one eye. Doctor was clueless and I realised it was the anaesthetic because when I was a child it happened at the dentist after being given a numbing needle. I went to the eye specialist and he couldn’t find anything wrong saying I had amazing long distance vision (which I knew). I had started on some homeopathic drops but no improvement as yet. It appears from reading all of the above testimonies that most eye (and nerves in and around the eye) are damaged due to some type of drug being administered.

  9. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Yunami says:

    I’m suffering form diplopia too. It’s now 7-8 moths since it became serious. it’s a worst experience I ever come across with. My opthalmologist referred me to neurologist & I’ve done all sorts of tests i.e.MRI,EEG etc but they are both normal… I’m only prescribed with hell of medicines but I can’t see any relief to my problem. I wish to get rid of this problem because it interferes my daily activities!

  10. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Anonymous says:

    My double vision has been diagnosed because of Mysenthia Gravis which I have been told there is not a cure for. So far this disease has only affected my eyes. I would like to see comments from anyone who may be dealing with this.

  11. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen naledi says:

    I have also double vision after migraine headaches

  12. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Monica Wilson says:

    I am also having double vision. After being put on levofloxin. I lost use of my legs and left hand.Now my eyes. Please don’t use any levoquin or generic form.

  13. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Mariam villafania says:

    My husband suffered in double vision. But his xray ang MRI at both normal.. opthalmologist and neurologist bothdidnt kniw wat to do.omg

  14. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen m. Carrell says:

    Don’t know how old these posts are but I have Macula degeneration and I keep finding natural remedies that claim to reverse eye vision problems and some are simply eating specific organic fresh foods. I recently had blurred double vision right after a serious stressful family incident that broke my heart and I found myself having to try to get my life back on track and was also using a bit of alcohol to calm me down and feel relaxed. I started working again after retiring early and thats when it started to appear. I looked up natural cures or remedies for double vision and blurriness and found products that were for that. I bought some products at the health store and used them and it took a few days for it to subside. It has cleared up but I notice it sort of comes back a bit if I feel stress. Alcohol probably added to the problem and it caused me to have dry mouth and night thirst so I stopped drinking that and bought teas for relaxing and sleep.Another thing that came up for blurred vision was ear issues and imbalance related to blurred vision so there are products for that also. Holistic healing and fresh organic foods are best for everything…Back to nature and the goo old days of healthy non-toxic food, water and clean soil as much as possible. I haven’t been to a doctor in 5 years and I am close to 70 and very youthful. I always search for natural cures and remedies online for everything and also have books on natural healing with nature and its foods, plants, herbs and spices. They definately work!!

  15. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Chris says:

    Its kind of hard to explain, but I see an image (even when I only have one eye open) overlapping itself, but a little bit above what is actually there
    Sort of like how you may have a double exposure on photoshop
    Squinting helps a little bit

  16. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Antara says:

    I am suffering from double vision and using my regular specks. I have not found out any other symptoms relating to a serious disease.Can double vision occur as a result of gaming too much or watching TV for too long?

  17. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Erdal Mousa says:

    I have just finished 37 sessions of radiotherapy, I now have double vision, could this be caused by the radiotherapy

  18. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Banke says:

    When i awake it causes a double vision but when i see from one eye it is normal but when i see from both eye it sees me double.
    Help me with some tips what to do

  19. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Michael Goy says:

    Double vision on and off when looking to the right with both eyes, it goes away if one eye closed , mystery had migraine one month before first time in life please anyone experience that?

  20. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Jack H says:

    Hi, my names jack i have some sort of double vision but im not sure what it is so let me try to describe it to you basically the word jack is there but it blurs out in all different directions and is in all different colours all most like a ghost image but everywhere i’ve been seeing optometrists & ophthalmologists and they dont know what it is they sent me to a specialist today and he said it has something to do with me smoking pot and i have to stop smoking pot for 4 months and return to him and if i smoke pot in those 4 months theres no point seeing him. this has gotten to the point where it is so hard to live my life because no one sees what i see and its getting worse and worse its been happening for over a year the doctor said its got to do with the brain but he didn’t refer me to a neurologist, im just really worried that its permanent because its seriously really bad. does anyone know what i should do and is there anyway to help this before i neck?

  21. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Albert Cumberworth says:

    i have no idea why

  22. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Albert Cumberworth says:

    I was given a flue shot and a pneumonia shot at the same time and have been seeing double for almost two weeks-how do i fix it?

  23. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen SANDRA MCCOLLUM says:

    My mother experienced double vision as the result of a small stroke after TAVR procedure, which is aorta heart valve replacement (inserted through the groin vein). She woke up with double vision and it has now been two weeks. The rehab facility is CLUELESS! I want to take my mom to an eye doctor but need a referral so it’s covered by insurance. NOT happening! Resident doc refers me to her GP…GP says resident doc has to make referral. The “chain of command” is causing my mother to fall through the cracks and I am pissed! 18 damn years my mother was a patient of Dr Caroll of Santa Rosa Ca. and never once has he called to say…Hi Gloria, heard you had a stroke..how are you feeling! All about the money…could care less about her. My guess is the fresnal prism may help. I doubt it will ever go away but there is always hope. I have NO faith in some doctors any longer. As a matter of fact…I would love to debate their stupidity in never proscribing natural remedies instead of pushing pharmacuticals down our throats….kick backs and free trips to Hawaii, I guess take priority over their oaths to humanity….AS A NATION…WE HAVE EDUCATED OURSELVES TO THE POINT OF IMBICILITY!

  24. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Jehad Bakeer says:

    With severe vomitting and diahria I had double vision in two similar incidents over the las year. 1st incident ( 9 months ago) I restored my normal vision in a month time. The 2nd incident (6 months ago) till to date I am having double vision and doctors are still experimenting causes, treatments by several vitamins…….with out noticeable improvement

  25. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen April jane says:

    I have double vision after brain surgery due to atroke. Its been more than six months :”(

  26. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Ali yusuf says:

    I stop drinking beer. Having one tablet of neuropion ( vitamin b ) daily for six months. No more double vision. Thanks

    • Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Charlotte says:

      This is very interesting. Alcoholics have a vitamin B1 deficiency so you cleared up your deficiency. Of note I was diagnosed by a doctor as having some sort of neuropathy. My complaint was fatigue and plantar fasciitis. I researched and found a fat soluable B1 vitamin that is actually a prescribed drug in Germany. At the time I was having severe plantar faciitis for years. I looked at the reviews and followed the dosage that helped people. Within a week my plantar faciitks went away. I thought I was nuts so I quit taking it. The foot pain returned within days. Began taking and took for months and it never returned. Gave some of my b1 to other people who had terrible foot pain and it helped. TO HIGHLIGHT OUR EYE CONDITION, MY OPTOMETRKST TOLD ME MY EYES LOOKED BETTER THAN THEY HAVE EVER SEEN THEM AND MY VISION DRAMATICALLY BECAME MUCH CLEARER. NO MORE SEEING 2 RED LIGHTS. BUT now 14 years later MY double vision is worse than ever and I’m getting back on my b1. To validate what I’m saying to to benfotiamine.org and read my review from 2005 or so. My review # was like 36 of 37. Signed czahnd. I so hope this helps us all.

  27. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Charles Y says:

    I have double vision due to something not noted in your article. I have, according to a retina surgeon, scar tissue behind the retina, and the deformed shape of the retina in the affected eye has caused objects seen by it to become magnified and shifted to the right and downward. I was fitted with prisms, and the displacement of the second image was corrected approximately 80%, but the prism glasses gave me another problem. The location of the object was moved downward compared to its location as seen without glasses. It caused a problem hitting a tennis ball. I was swinging at the location that the ball looked to be, but the ball was actually in a different place in space I gave up the prism glasses and went back to my regular glasses and decided to put up with the double vision.

  28. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen bob walters says:

    i sent an email a long time ago asking about problems after catarac surgery. i believe that after the sugury i never got any better.! the dr just checks my vision like an optometrist to see if i can read the chart lines or read a card. and he gives me like artifical tears…they do help. any advice??

  29. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Anonymous says:

    It is a double vision when i open my left eye i will see i small double vision to the object that i look when i open my right eye it is just normal to look when i open my both eyes it just a normal vision to look should i go to the doctor?

  30. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Vp says:

    Try some homoeopathy medicine… But after checking with Neurologist for any brain issue

    I will pray for you….. Get well soon

  31. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Anonymous says:

    I literally have had the same vision problem for 3 to 4 years. Doctors seems to not help much

  32. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Tavish says:

    I have had the same problem since 6 months. It has something to do with an irregular or thin cornea as per doctors. I have not found a solution yet.

  33. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Anonymous says:

    I am newly experiencing the same thing, has it gotten any better?

  34. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Freya Koss says:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhtWBoIPMxw

    Please look at my story…I was struck with double vision 7 days after having a silver amalgam dental filling drilled out and replaced with a new one. they are 50% mercury. I was acutely poisoned by mercury, which caused a block in the junction between the nerve and the muscle in the ocular branch of the trigeminal nerve.

    Mercury dental fillings can cause many illnesses and symptoms. Your dentist nor doctor will never address this issue honestly. Doctors diagnosis you with a label and give you drugs. They do not cure illnesses. I had to do it on my own. I recommend doing a search on visual problems and mercury poisoning..

    I took many supplements for years and slowly I recovered for the mostpart.

  35. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Shan says:

    A friend of mine started with crazy headaches too. Now he has diplopia, he was told it goes away on its own. @Michael Goy how are you now?

  36. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Anonymous says:

    Don’t blame Sandra for being upset

  37. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen kikamika says:

    you should watch your manners, iCare, or is it short for i am from Health Care?

  38. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen I. Care says:

    Chill out Sandra

  39. Avatar for Tyler Sorensen Raven says:

    I had brain surgery in Feb to remove tumor have had horrible double vision since

Leave Your Reply

About the Author

Avatar for Tyler Sorensen

Tyler Sorensen is the President and CEO of Rebuild Your Vision. Formerly, Tyler studied Aeronautics (just like his brother) with the dream of becoming an airline pilot, however, after 9/11 his career path changed. After graduating top of his class with a Bachelor of Science in Informational Technologies and Administrative Management, he joined Rebuild Your Vision in 2002. With the guidance of many eye care professionals, including Behavioral Optometrists, Optometrists (O.D.), and Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.), Tyler has spent nearly two decades studying the inner workings of the eye and conducting research.

Categories

Popular Posts