Double Vision upon opening eyes

[jaki09]

Recently I have been getting double vision a lot.  It is brief, and is like the two images do a circle before joining back together.  It happens when I open my eyes, or quickly look at  the other side of a room, like my eyes can't focus quickly enough to keep up.  It mostly only happens when I am in class and really tired, so I didn't think much of it, but I have been getting about 7 hours of sleep every night, haven't pulled any all nighters, and it is still happening.  I then thought it may be a psychological thing of "i don't like this class, i don't want to pay attention, here is an excuse..." but I go to UCLA and have always had classes I didn't like but I always paid attention and worked hard in them. It would be very uncharacteristic so I don't think it is that either.  

When it happens I usually go to sleep, i can't read or pay attention because since things won't focus I blink and then they start their circle thing again making me dizzy.  

Are there any medications that can cause this?  

[jaki09]

is this 'misalignment' something that just happens sometimes or is it a condition you develop?  if that makes sense?

[jaki09]

yea they are.  Thanks John.  It is weird because I have really dry eyes that i have to use medicated drops for (restasis) so I go in for a check up about every 6 months.  I guess it is time for another!

[Nancy T]

Interesting! I wonder if that's why I have the vertical ghosting when I'm very tired or after reading looking down.

Eyes are WEIRD. (We love them, though.)

Nancy T.

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

You do need a check up with an Eye MD ophthalmologist. Find one at www.aao.org

It may be harmless. Many people have small misalignments of their eyes (phorias), when they are sick, tired or ill the control mechanism (fusion) can momentarily break down and they can see double or even rotated.

I have an exophoria. When I am totally trashed by over-work, call, emergencies, etc. I can momentarily see double. It reminds me to get some sleep.

However do not neglect the Medical Eye exam

JCH III MD