Monocular diplopia

[hyemom]

When I first noticed my bilateral monocular diplopia back in 1971, it seemed unheard of and to my knowledge didn't have a name. I saw opthalmologists at Loyola,  University of Chicago, and University of Illinois Medical schools trying to find help. They all  listened to my description of what I was seeing and saw the sketches I drew, but I might as well have been talking to a wall.  I even had it suggested that it was "all in my head". When did it start to become recognized and is any research being done to prevent or correct it?  

[hyemom]

All I was told was that the pictures of the corneas looked like mountains and that wearing hard contacts *might* help. . I had already worn hard contacts but didn't "see" (no pun intended) any difference. That, plus the knowledge that I'd still have to wear glasses over the contacts didn't encourage me to experiment. At my age now, with heart issues, I'd be afraid to "rock the boat", but I remain curious as to why it happened in the first place, whether it could have been prevented, and is there a genetic disposition my children should be aware of.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You need to see a corneal specialist to see if anything can be done.  What was your corneal diagnosis?  Did you try the hard contact lens?

Dr. O.

[hyemom]

That's almost exactly the solution I was offered some 4-5 years ago after my wrinkled corneas were photographed but they suggested the hard lens have a prescription and I could get by with bifocals over them. I'll never know whether had the suggestion been offered 40 years ago, the progression would have halted or slowed but I can't help wishing more information had been available.
They have artificial lenses used in cataract surgery, is there any chance an artificial cornea can or will ever be developed?

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The most common causes are in the cornea or lens,  rarely retinal.  

A hard contact lens over refraction can determine if the cornea is the problem.  Pinhole will probably help with lens, if still there then it is the retina.



Dr. O.