Double Vision in 9 year old

[clh001]

My 9 year old is having double vision - overlapping ghost like images.  When he focus on a single object - he can see it in single/regular vision.  He also says life would be easier if he could just cover one eye.  We have seen a pediatric opthalmologist who says he can find nothing wrong with his eyes but mentioned without being urgent about it, that he should 'maybe' see a neurologist.  Is it possible to have a neurological problem with double vision without the eye doctor finding anything wrong with his eyes?  Do you think I should get a second opinion from a ped. opthalmologist?  Our pediatrician doesn't really believe my son but, my son is not a drama queen, hates seeing the doctor, doesn't tell his friends about this because it's 'embarrasing', and is upset that his regular ped thinks he's not telling the truth.  My family firmly believes him.  He's a good kid.

[angielk]

Hi,

To answer your question - yes it can be neurological also.  I have been suffering from double vision for 4 weeks now.  I have been to the ER, had a CT scan done and seen my neurologist and ophtamologist.  I also had an MRI done 4 weeks ago and waiting for the results - as it stands the CT scan was good.  They say it could be a nerve that is not functioning properly.  Today I went to the ophtamologist and he said it is most likely something called "Sixth Nerve Palsy".  Basically a  blocked nerve (a blood vessel) and this is  supposed to regenerate itself within 6 - 8 weeks (I am going back in 3 weeks to see if it has gotten better, if not then they will send me to a neuro-ophtamologist).  My neurologist also said that it may be something that fixes itself within 6 -8 weeks.  

I agree you should first change doctor and yes see a neurologist - always good to cover al the bases and get some answers as I know that this must be frusturating for you and especially your son - I know it's very frusturating for me.  For the time being I am wearing an eye patch and doctor says it's ok to do so if it helps.

I hope this helped a little.  Good Luck to you and your son - keep me posted.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

See another pediatric ophthalmologist.  This may also be a problem with glasses or the need of one.

Dr. O.