Double vision, medically known as diplopia, is when you see two identical images of a single object instead of just one.
Understanding Double Vision
Double vision, or diplopia, is a visual symptom where a person perceives two images of a single object. This occurs because the eyes are not working together perfectly to send a unified image to the brain.
As the name suggests, it causes people to see two of the same image—whether horizontal, vertical or diagonal—instead of one. This means the duplication you see can appear side-by-side (horizontal), one on top of the other (vertical), or slanted (diagonal).
How it Appears
Imagine looking at a single traffic light. If you have double vision, you might see:
- Two traffic lights positioned next to each other (horizontal).
- Two traffic lights stacked vertically (vertical).
- Two traffic lights offset diagonally (diagonal).
Regardless of the direction, the core experience is seeing a duplicated version of an object where only one exists.
Key Characteristics of Double Vision
- Seeing Two Images: The defining feature is the perception of a duplicate image.
- Same Image Duplicated: It's the same object appearing twice, not two different objects.
- Varied Orientation: The two images can be separated horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, as highlighted in the definition.
- Impact on Vision: This condition significantly affects depth perception and balance, making everyday tasks challenging.
Understanding that double vision means seeing two of the same thing, separated in various directions, is crucial to describing and identifying this visual issue.
