What causes double vision?

Double vision can be unsettling. One minute, you're texting your BFF about the latest reality-TV drama, and the next, you're blinking in confusion as two notification bubbles dance before your eyes. Don't panic. Double vision (diplopia) has many causes, and most are treatable.

For some people, double vision comes on suddenly, and for others, it develops slowly. In both cases, it can be caused by medical issues, poorly fitting corrective lenses, or complex visual conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

• Blurry or poor vision

• Poor-fitting eyewear/the wrong lens prescription

• Neurological conditions, including migraines

• Other health conditions, such as diabetes

Learn more about what causes double vision and what you can do to stop it in its tracks.

Common causes of double vision

Some of the most common causes of double vision include:

• Refractive errors (to be explained)

• Dry eye

• Corneal issues

• Problems with the eye muscles

• Lens issues

• Ill-fitting glasses

Your eyes normally work together like a synchronized dance team. Each eye captures a picture of an object, and the brain uses a process called fusion to create a single image.

When you have double vision, your eyes act like two coworkers who can't stand to spend more than 5 minutes in the same room. Instead of producing one image, your brain stacks two images on top of each other, causing you to see double.

Here's the skinny on what causes double vision that comes and goes:

• Refractive errors: "Refractive error" is just a fancy way of saying your eye doesn't bend light correctly. These errors cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other vision issues. You may experience double vision due to a refractive error that causes your eye's focusing power to be slightly off.

• Dry eye: When your tear ducts go on strike, your corneas end up irritated, which can cause double vision.

• Corneal issues: The cornea is the dome-shaped part of the eye that helps focus light. If you have a corneal problem, it can cause double vision, making it feel as if you're peering through a wobbly piece of glass.

• Problems with the eye muscles: When you hear the phrase "muscle strength," you probably think of lifting weights or hauling groceries. But you need strong eye muscles to see correctly. If your eye muscles are weak, your eyes can't line up to see the same point at the same time. The result is double vision.

• Lens issues: The lens works to focus light on the retina, so it's essential for seeing clearly. Lens issues can distort light, causing you to see double.

• Ill-fitting corrective lenses: Ill-fitting corrective lenses also distort light as it enters your eyes. If your eyeglasses or contacts don't fit you properly, you may develop double vision.

What disease can lead to double vision?

Any disease affecting the eye muscles or the optic nerve can lead to double vision. The optic nerve carries messages from your eyes to your brain, allowing you to see the world around you. If the optic nerve isn't working right, those messages can get scrambled, leaving you with double vision.

These are some common seeing double causes:

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can damage the muscles and nerves that control the eyes.

• Myasthenia gravis: MG is an autoimmune disorder that can weaken the eye muscles.

• Cranial nerve issues: Several cranial nerves control eye movement. If you have a disease that affects one of these nerves, you may develop double vision due to an inability to focus on nearby objects.

• Strabismus: Strabismus, also known as eye misalignment, prevents the eyes from focusing on the same object at the same time.

• Multiple sclerosis: MS causes the immune system to attack the protective covering of the nervous system. In some people, it can affect the optic nerve or the parts of the brain responsible for vision.

Can blood pressure cause double vision?

Yes, but it doesn't usually happen unless your blood pressure is extremely high. When your BP is high enough, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina. This damage may contribute to double vision. The bottom line? If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, working to get it under control can help you avoid long-term vision problems.

Can astigmatism cause double vision?

Yes, astigmatism can cause double vision. Astigmatism is the scientific way of saying your lens or cornea has an abnormal curvature. If the curve is especially pronounced, the eyes have trouble focusing light, leading to double vision in some people.

What deficiency can cause double vision?

Turns out that eating Takis for every meal isn't exactly great for your health. Just like your bones and muscles need nutrients to stay strong, your eyes need nutrients to help you see. Vitamin A, vitamin B-1, and magnesium are all essential for eye health. Here's why:

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A nourishes several parts of the eyes. If you're deficient, you may experience double vision, night blindness, and other symptoms.

• Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1 helps nourish the nerves in your corneas. This helps prevent corneal problems, including dry eye.

• Magnesium: Magnesium protects against cataracts, reduces the risk of dry eye, and supports the normal function of the retinas, corneas, and lenses. If you're deficient, you may develop a health condition that causes double vision.

We hate to break it to you, but your health teacher was right. You need to eat your fruits and vegetables!

What are common causes of sudden double vision?

Reasons double vision can come on quickly include:

• Fatigue

• High levels of stress

• Alcohol intoxication

• Low blood sugar

• Standing up too quickly

What are some vision issues similar to double vision?

Some vision issues are similar to double vision, including:

• Dry eyes

• Blurry vision

• Halos

These issues may cause the symptom of double vision, but they may require different treatments.

Ensure you have the right eyewear

If you experience double vision or other vision changes, schedule an appointment with an eye care professional. They can perform a complete eye exam to determine why you're having double vision and what you should do about it.

Now that you know what causes double vision, ordering new corrective lenses may help. Visit our website to shop for glasses or contact lenses.

Original publish date: 3/21/2022

Updated date: 1/21/2026