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1307298 tn?1305946851

permenant double vision?

Has anyone had permanent double vision?  Right now it is only in the morning when I'm moving around a lot to get ready for work.  Most of the driving is ok, and the rest of the day is fine.  Then the next morning I have the problem again.  Since this isn't constant, should I call the doctor?  Because it doesn't last all day, I"m wondering if it will just go away.

Sorry for any typos.  I have one eye patched right now and typing is a real challenge.
13 Responses
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964075 tn?1390448278
I've had strong constant 24 hours a day double vision since my first lazy eye surgery in 2006....  Please look into patching or cover a lense on a glasses if you wear them, one thing I discovered that not even my neo-optho didn't see coming is the eye you do use will eventually get strained and it'll get blurry.... My advice is try relying on the recessive weaker eye, I drive/work and function on a daily basis and am a 47y/o male..... It's possible to lead a "normal" life..... Best of luck.
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Avatar universal
I have had permanent double vision since I was in 5th grade (age 11). I am now 24 years old. It was a risk of an eye surgery I had in 5th grade. It was a 1 in some insane number chance that resulted in double vision for life as a result of this eye surgery, and I was that 1. Now I see double all the time. Haven't seen a "single" image in about 14 years (except for one time, see below).

The one on the left side is always the "real" image and the one on the right is always its "double". My brain has forgotten what a single image looks like (aka what a normal person sees). However, about two years ago, the eye doctor made me see one single image for the first time in over twelve years. But, my brain couldn't hold the image and the image split back into two (which is what I've been seeing for the past thirteen-fourteen years of my life).

Doc said there's hope for me to see one image again. He just doesn't know when that will happen.
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1260255 tn?1288654564
There are many things that can cause double vision or halo vision. Based on what you have posted, your double vision appears to be directly related to MS and brain lesions.

For those in Limbo Land who may be dealing with blurred vision, halos and or double vision along with nausea, please consult with an ophthalmologist or neuro opthalmologist to explore all possible causes.

I have been dealing with this for more than seven years now and have had many days where I cannot drive. I have had prisms in my eye glasses for five years. For me it is usually in the morning and resolves itself by mid-day.I just had another eye exam two weeks ago and was told that I have narrow angle glaucoma; the doctor has observed the angles progressively narrowing over the course of the last three years. This is a condition where the glands in the eyes are too narrow and allow pressure to build up in the eye, affecting vision and can damage the optic nerve. An acute attack, if not treated promptly, can lead to permanent loss of vision. I am scheduled for a consult next week with laser iridectomies to follow.

Because MS is so complex and can affect so many parts of the body, it often is difficult to distinguish between something that is MS related or a co-morbid condition.

Jean, good luck. The song "I Can See Clearly Now" comes to mind and I hope that happens for you!

Hugs,

Audrey
Helpful - 0
1453990 tn?1329231426
There is double vision that is caused by a palsy of CN 3, CN 4 and/or CN 6, these will go away if you cover one eye.  Lesions on CN 2 (the Optic Nerves, Optic Chiasm, and Optic tracts) can cause monocular double vision.  Any of these can be intermittent or they may get worse with fatigue.

Bob
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Avatar universal
I've had double vision for approx 10 yrs, when I wake up in the morning or after a nap my double vision is in my central vision then after 1 to 2 hours later it moves to my peripherial vision (side of vision) this has happened every day and last all day! So in my mind yes! Double vision can be permanent! Just no one has figured out why in my case!
Helpful - 0
1307298 tn?1305946851
Hi all,

I just wanted to give an update.  I talked with the doctor (via the nurse) and she said that I can expect the double vision to come and go -- it's just part of the disease for me.  She said I can expect the same for my fatigue.  She just recommended that when I have these flare ups I should just take it slow and be sure I'm rested and taking care of myself.

For the double vision, she is sending me to a neuro-opthamologist to see if they can possibly fit me with prism glasses for times that I am having a flare up.

So that is my next step.  I went to work today -- and simply just took a slow, relaxed time in getting ready for work.  That must have helped because I didn't have double vision at all.

So while it isn't perfect news, at least I know what to expect.  I think that is half the battle sometimes.

Jean
Helpful - 0
1307298 tn?1305946851
As an update, I've had this now for 3 days where in the morning I'll have it for an hour or two, and then it goes away.  Today I called the nurse and I'm waiting for a call back.

I went to bed early last night to be sure I got enough rest.

When I had my MRI in February, they said I did have a lesion in the area that controls vision.
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338416 tn?1420045702
I have monocular double vision, and it gets worse as my eyes get tired during the day.  Contacts for some reason make my eyes tired, so if I need a break I put my glasses on.
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1307298 tn?1305946851
I forgot to mention that double vision was my first exacerbation (back in February) and that was how I was diagnosed with MS (along with the other tests I had).  At that time I was hospitalized for a week and given steriods.
Helpful - 0
751951 tn?1406632863
I do see two images, and have for at least a year and a half.  These two images are only slightly offset from one another, so that in practice, it really just looks like everything has double edges.  The old test where they hold up two fingers and ask me how many I see results in me saying "two," but if they are willing to listen a half second longer I will tell them that each of those fingers has two edges, all the way around.  If they held up two of something narrower, like maybe a pen refill or a Q-Tip, I'd see two distinct images for each one, I think.

Now the really weird part: closing one eye, i still see two edges to everything, and it doesn't much matter which eye.

Thanks to an outstanding neuro-ophthalmologist, I am doing better.  He prescribed the addition of a prism to one of my lenses.  As he described it, it will make my eyes send messages that will trick my brain into thinking it only sees one image through each eye, and that those images are congruent with one another.  So far (eight to ten months, maybe?), it's not all gone, but it's a lot better.

As for your question, yes, definitely report it to your doctor, and the sooner the better, IMHO.  I don't think this should happen at all, so part of the day is still unacceptable.
Helpful - 0
667078 tn?1316000935
I have had double vision for over forty years because of a lesion. My brain got used to it. Then a few years back it got worse. Mine comes and goes as I get hot or tired. In my case nothing can be done.

I would advise you to tell at least your neurologist. I have seen several neuro opthyamologists. Again in my case they only say it is real an track it. I can't drive when it is too bad. I suspect I will not be able to drive at soon. I do not truly see two images I just can't focus.

Alex
Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
The double vision is caused by a palsy of the cranial nerves.

A common cause is diabetic neuropathy. Generally this resolves within two to four months. Treatment is a patch over one eye, and ocasionally steroids are prescribed.

It is possible to have permanant double vision due to disorders that damage the cranial nerves. It is best to seek advice from an opthmalogical neurologist.
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Avatar universal
Hi and welcome. I suppose that's possible, though no one here has complained of this condition being permanent.

How long has it gone on? It can take many months for significant improvement. One of our members, doublevision1, had debilitating double vision that kept her from work for a long time, but over the course of a year it slowly got better. Now I think she feels it's 95% resolved, enough for her to function normally.

Perhaps she'll see this and comment.

Best of luck,
ess
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