Double vision is a condition that can occur due to problems associated with eye muscles. The condition can cause a person to view two separate images of a single object. Double vision is of two types. Monocular diplopia is the name for the condition when it occurs in one eye, and double binocular vision is when it takes place in both the eyes. The treatment for double vision depends on its type and causes.

There are many causes of double vision, and these may depend on the type of double vision that you may have. While monocular double vision is rare, the causes of double vision of this kind may be due to astigmatism or cataract. Astigmatism is a reflective error that is caused due to an irregularly shaped cornea. Other causes of monocular double vision include dry eye (a condition when you cannot produce enough tears), abnormalities associated with the cornea, issues of the lens like cataracts, abnormalities of the retina that may cause muscular degeneration, and the like. The effects of monocular double vision are not felt when you shut the affected eye.

When both the eyes fail to reflect images correctly, the condition is called double binocular vision that makes your brain to create double images in both the eyes. In some cases, the causes of double vision could stem out of realigning squint eyes. Recurring squint in the childhood can be a common cause of double vision in both the eyes. However, if double vision in adults occurs suddenly, it may be due to any of the conditions listed below.

• When the thyroid muscle that produces thyroxine affects the free movement of the external eye muscles, you may experience double vision.
• One of the causes of double vision can also stem from a condition that affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. A stroke or a transient ischaemic attack may also be one of the causes.
• When a severe case of diabetes damages the blood vessels from supplying blood to the nerves of the eye muscles, it may lead to double vision.
• When eye muscles become weak due to conditions like myasthenia gravis, people may experience double vision.
• Multiple sclerosis may affect the nerves of the eye muscles and cause double vision.
• An aneurysm is a condition that is characterized by a bulge in the blood vessel as a result of weak blood vessel wall. This condition may further press on the nerve of the eye muscle causing double vision.
• Other causes of double vision may include a brain tumor, cancer behind the eye, head injury, and the like.

A stye, also called as hordeolum is a small painful lump that forms inside or outside the eyelid. It is actually abscess that is filled with pus. Stye is caused due to bacterial infection called staphylococcus, which is a kind of bacterial infection. Stye are one of the common eye infection. Just like conjunctivitis, most people experience it one or two times at some stages in their life.

Causes of stye

• Most of the stye cases are seen in the age bracket of 20 to 50. It is specially seen in people who suffer from diabetes, or have high lipid levels. Stye might occur on upper eyelids, lower eyelids or on both.
• As mentioned above, stye is caused due to staphylococcal bacteria that lives right under the surface of the skin. Since our bodies are coated with a huge number of friendly bacteria, some bacteria tend to feast on the dead cells and debris in our body that results in the tender pimple.
• Some people develop stye frequently. This could be basically due to poor eye hygiene. In some cases inflammation of eyelids also leads to stye.
• Chalazion, which is a type of stye is caused due to blockage of tiny eyelid glands. They normally transport an oily substance that helps keep the eye lubricated. This material enters the tear film of the eye and prevents from tear evaporation. Chalazia develops in a span of weeks or moth when the immune system is stimulated by trapped or misplaced oil to clean up the mess.
• Internal hordeolum or stye is caused due to infection of Meibomian glands that are present at the edge of the eyelids.

Symptoms of stye

Based on the causes of stye, following are the symptoms

• A stye usually looks like an acne pimple that appears anywhere in the body. It is acutely small localized swelling on the eyelid. Appearing somewhat like a pimple, the surrounding skin is reddish. It also results in swollen eyelids if the infection spreads beyond the affected gland.
• In some cases, eyelid swelling might appear first and localized lesions might appear later.
• In most of the cases, treatment might not be needed, but in case of severe inflammation, the area around the whole eyelid and even the tissues around the eyeball might get affected, causing pain. If the swelling is assisted with itching of eyes, then there are chances that there might be an underlying causative ocular condition.
• There might be formation of purulent material around the infected area of the eyelids. In severe cases of stye, the person might experience enlarged lymph nodes present in front of the ears.

If you are suffering from any of the above mentioned symptoms of stye, consult an optometrist who will diagnose the severity and provide treatment accordingly.

Retina, a continuation of the central nervous system (CNS), is the only part that is visible from outside. The retina is the organ of sight and is provided with special photosensitive cells called cones and rods. Cones can discern color and produce well-defined sharp color images. They work only in bright light. The rods are very sensitive to light but cannot distinguish between colors and produce only ill-defined images. The light falling on these cells are converted into electric impulses through a cascade of chemical-electric reactions and is taken to the brain by the optic nerve for processing and image formation.

This delicate and sensitive organ suffers many disorders, some degenerative and most inherent to itself. Retinal tear, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy are the common ailments. Retinal tear happens when the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance, filling the rear chamber of eyeball, contracts and pulls the retina with enough force that it tears. It is painless and a sudden increase in size and number of floaters is all there to indicate a retinal tear may be happening.

The other symptoms are reduction in peripheral vision manifesting as shadow in the corner of the field of vision, blurred vision etc. Fluid seeping behind the retina causes the retina to lift off from its attachments underneath. The greatest danger is that the tear might lead to retinal detachment. A sudden appearance of flashes, or bright sparks is the symptom to indicate detachment.

The treatment is almost the same for both tear and detachment. Sealing the tear with a laser beam, photocoagulation, or a special freezing probe, cryopexy, allows scar tissue to form along the boundary and seal the tear. In scleral buckle, a flexible band is placed around the sclera to counteract the forces that tears the retina. Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vitreous is removed and replaced with gas or oil. The gas gets replaced with body fluids while the oil needs to be drained. In pneumatic retinopexy a gas bubble is injected into the vitreous. This is done in conjunction with photocoagulation or cryopexy. In retinal detachment, it may often be necessary to drain the fluid accumulated behind the retina. It would be required that the head be placed in a specified position to allow the retina to get settled in his original position.

Most procedures, around 80 to 90%, are successful. In some cases, the scar tissue does not allow proper growth.

Causes of double vision and type of diplopia are two important factors that affect the treatment for double vision. While for people with monocular diplopia, wearing an eye patch may serve as the best treatment for double vision, people with a severe condition may have to resort to eye surgeries.

The first step in the treatment for double vision includes identifying the exact causes of double vision and targeting the underlying causes first. If double vision is caused by a squint, doctors may recommend eyelid surgeries or Botox injections. People whose causes of double vision includes cataract may be required to undergo a cataract surgery to manage the condition. Similarly, people with the tendency of dry eyes may have to seek dry eye treatment for double vision.

Often diseases like diabetes, weak muscles, and other issues may be the main causes of double vision. In each of these cases, the condition can be corrected with medications. Often, people with incurable diplopia may seek treatment for double vision to manage and live with the condition. People with monocular diplopia often are prescribed prism glasses, and eye patches to align two images into one. Other possible treatments for double vision have been listed below.

Try corrective glasses
Wearing prescribed glasses for double vision may also help treat and manage the issue. This usually works well if the causes of double vision include astigmatism.

Eye exercises may help some
Since one of the main causes of double vision includes weak nerves, eye muscles, and the like, many doctors recommend special eye exercises to strengthen weak muscles.

Prism glasses
Updating prescription glasses by fixing prisms on the glasses can help you manage the condition. These prism lenses can be worn for several months to adjust the vision.

Opaque intraocular lens
Opaque contact lens in an eye may help correct diplopia. This is a surgical process that can be used when other treatments become unsuccessful. This treatment for double vision is for people with binocular diplopia.

Botox
Botulinum toxin injections into the eye muscles can help too. These helps control the movement of the eyes and blocks chemical signals from being sent to the brain. The weak muscles get relaxed and other muscles come into play and help straighten the eye.

Surgery
Surgery of the eye muscles is the next best treatment for double vision depending on specific cases, type of double vision, success rates, and the like. Adjustable stitches may help position the eyes in a way that double vision may get corrected.

A cataract is not an unfamiliar term for us. It is a common sign of aging, can lead to loss of vision and affects daily life at later stages of it. It is one of the most common causes of loss of vision amongst Americans. Here is everything you need to know about cataract and how you can get relief from it.

Understanding cataract
We are gifted with a natural lens in our eyes, which helps us in our vision. The natural lens is called as the crystalline lens. It is situated behind the iris and the pupil. Cataract refers to the dense and cloudy area that forms over the eye’s lens, and lead to vision problems.

Causes of cataract
There are multiple factors that can result in the formation of cataract, some of which are listed below:

• Natural aging process
• Certain health conditions
• Hereditary deformities
• Constant use of medicines with steroid content
• Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, ultra violet radiation, etc.

Types of cataract
Cataracts are classified into different types depending upon on where and how they develop in the lens of the eyes. They are:

• Nuclear cataract: It occurs in the middle of the lens or the nucleus.
• Cortical cataract: It occurs at the edges of the lens, and move towards the center in a spoke-like appearance.
• Sub-capsular cataract: It occurs at the back of the lens. It is commonly found in people differing from diabetes.
• Traumatic cataract: It occurs due to an injury in the eye. The traumatic cataract will show up after many years of traumatic injury to the eyes.
• Congenital cataract: This type of cataract is a congenital deformity. It can be due to genetic factors or infections.

Symptoms of cataract
The major sign that shows you have cataract is the difficulty in vision. Other signs and symptoms of cataract include:

• Blurry, clouded, or no vision
• Difficulty in vision at nights
• Requirement of brighter lights for activities, especially reading
• Higher sensitivity to light
• See halos around lights
• Double vision

Treatment for cataract
At the initial stages of the condition, the cataract may affect only a part of the lens; hence your vision will not be completely bad. The doctor will advise you to use prescription glasses, anti-glare glasses, or magnifying glasses. As it starts affecting your day-to-day activities and cause loss of vision, it is better to opt for a surgical removal of the cataract.

Cataract surgery is a safe and simple procedure in which the cataract lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The procedure is an effective remedy to avoid cataract and retain clear vision. It is an outpatient procedure which has a fast recovery and a high success rate.

People who suffer from eye allergies will know the pain that it has attached to it. With an itchy and running eye, you nearly feel like your eyes are going to pop out anytime. Well, most obviously the feeling is nowhere near good. Not only does it cause discomfort and pain but it also leads the exterior of your eyes to swell. Although eye allergies do not cause grave damage to your eyesight, you do have to bear with that temporary blurry eyesight.

So what are the various kinds of treatments that you can seek to improve your condition? There are numerous medications in the form of topical treatment and pills that are available and can be used after consultation with your doctor. However, if home remedies are something that sound more endearing, then here are a few that will treat your allergic and itchy eye.

Prevention before cure – It is important that you are are aware of the allergens that are causing your eyes to itch or water. If you think that cradling your pet in your arms is the main cause, then stop doing that right away. Detect and avoid any action that will cause you an allergic and itchy eye in the first place.

Aloe Vera Mask – Aloe vera is well renowned for its amazing medicinal properties since centuries. It packs along a bunch of soothing elements that can relieve itchiness and dryness. All you have to do is apply a paste or juice of aloe vera flesh on your eyes and rinse it after a while. Using aloe vera juice as a splash too can give you considerable relief.

Ice packs – A cold press in the form of an ice pack can act as an effective relieving agent. Place the pack on your eyes gently and you will instantly find it soothing. You should continue to do this process at least 3-4 times a day.

Green Tea Bags – Did you think that green tea just has health benefits? Well not. Green tea contains bioflavonoids that are excellent at killing bacterial infections. Place a green teabag in the refrigerator for about an hour. Once the bag is chilled place it on your eyes.

Grated Cucumber – Cucumber is a coolant that packs along anti-irritation properties. Grate some cucumber and apply a portion on the eyelid of your eyes. Keep this for a while before washing it away with cold water. Cucumber will amazingly reduce the swelling and puffiness to your inflamed eyes.

Home remedies are great and do a lot of good if followed religiously. However, if the problem continues to persist, one must visit the doctor.

Cataract is a common vision problem that many people suffer as they cross their 40s. In cataracts, your otherwise clear eye lenses develop a foggy layer on them, and everything appears to be blurry. Although cataract is not a major eye condition, it cannot be ignored for long as it starts affecting your daily routine and makes it difficult for you to perform simple tasks like reading and driving.
So, how can you prevent developing a case of cataract? There is no proof about the prevention of cataract, but there are some preventive measures that doctors believe help in reducing your chances of developing a cataract. Here are 5 tactical ways in which you can bring down your chances of developing a cataract:

Go for regular eye checkups
Once you have crossed the age of 40, it is best to have a routine eye checkup done. In fact, there is no harm in getting a routine eye checkup done in your early years as that will help in early detection of cataract or any other eyesight related problems. It is advisable to ask your doctor about how often you should get an eye examination done.

Avoid smoking
Smoking is said to be a common risk factor that might lead to the development of cataract at an early age. Although this is not proved, it is best to quit smoking as a preventive measure. If you are a chain smoker, then now is the best time to give a serious thought to quitting smoking. You can consider seeking the help of medications, counseling, yoga, and other alternative therapies in smoking cessation.

Limit your alcohol consumption
It is said that excessive intake of alcohol might lead to you developing cataract at a premature age. So, make sure that you limit your alcohol intake to a minimum. Remember that the less you drink, the lower your chances of developing a cataract.

Always wear sunglasses
The harsh ultraviolet sunrays are one of the most common risk factors that are associated with a cataract development. The best way to tackle the harmful rays is by avoiding overexposure to sunlight. If you cannot help it and you must go outdoors, then you should wear a good pair of sunglasses that will protect your eyes. Remember that you should wear them every time you step out in the daytime, irrespective of whether it is sunny or cloudy.

Follow a well-balanced diet
Following a well-planned nutritious diet will considerably reduce your risks of developing a cataract. Antioxidants are great for the health of your eyes, so make sure that you add plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

By following these strategic tips, you can prevent or at least delay the development of a cataract.

Chronic dry eye syndrome is caused due to the deficiency of moisture and lubrication on the outer surface of the eyes. It can also occur when the eyes cannot generate tears or when they produce inconsistent tears that evaporate quickly.

Skin inflammation occurs on the surface of the eye. If left untreated, it can lead to ulcers, development of scars on the cornea, blurred or loss vision.

Dry eyes can make reading difficult since it can easily strain the eye. Other terms that are used to describe dry eye are as follows.

Dysfunctional tear syndrome- Inadequate quantity of tears generated by the glands.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca- Affects both the conjunctiva and cornea.

Symptoms of dry eyes

• An uncomfortable and irritating sensation in the eye
• A string-like discharge from the eye
• Blurred vision
• Redness and burning sensation in the eye
• Tiredness of the eye
• Inability to generate tears even when emotional
• Heavy eyelids
• Inability to perform vision related tasks, like reading or working on the computer

Causal factors of dry eyes

• Skin disease around the eyelids can cause dryness. It can be a last for a short while or long enough to become a chronic condition.
• It can also be side effects of certain medications, like birth control pills, tranquilizers, antidepressants, Parkinson’s disease medications, antihistamines etc.
• A gland disease known as Meibomian gland dysfunction happens around the eyes. This can also be a cause for dryness.
• Allergies are generally associated with dry eye since it’s the body’s natural reaction to a stimulus.
• Both excessive and deficient intakes of vitamins can be a reason for dryness.
• Pregnant women can also experience this condition.
• Wearing contact lenses for a prolonged period of time can lead to dryness as well.
• It can happen due to increased rate of tear evaporation because of factors like wind, dry air, smoke, and other pollutants.
• If you don’t blink often, there are chances to develop dry eye syndrome.
• Aging is another reason for dry eye. Conditions like arthritis, thyroid, lupus, and deficiency of vitamin A can cause dryness as well.

Prognosis for dry eyes
Typically, dry eyes are treated using artificial tear drops or ointments, but there are other methods as well. Consider sleeping with airtight goggles, they create a moisture chamber to retain the wetness in your eyes.

Medical advancements have brought new technology to the masses. This includes lipid flow, a device that helps in unclogging blocked glands in your eyelids. It helps keep the eye moist and protects tears from evaporating.