ghost images

Sometimes, when I close one eye, I see a ghost image with the other eye. When both eyes are open it doesn't happen. When only one eye is open, it usually doesn't happen either, except in specific circumstances, such as when I look at a thin white line on black background. In those cases, there is a ghost image. This is with my eyeglasses on. It becomes a bit worse when my eyes are dry.

Also, I went to an MD ophthalmologist about a month ago for an exam. I didn't tell him about the ghost images. But he did an eye exam and said it was normal.

I'm trying to understand whether I need to go to a doctor again or not. I'm thinking that maybe not. Basically, since ghost images are monocular, they probably are ocular in origin. And if there was a serious problem, the doctor would have noticed it during the exam. So it's probably just astigmatism (which I have and which isn't fully corrected even with eyeglasses) and/or dry eye (which I also have). But I'm not a doctor, so I'd appreciate your advice.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes, you should have told him. Special tests are often necessary for subtle ghosting like amler grid test and macular OCT. The most common cause would be uncorrected astigmatism.
JCHMD