Double Vision

[mars16]

I had an implant done on my right eye in March. During the period of healing I had good vision in right eye, and due to my severe correction, my brain ignored my left eye, giving me excellent vision in my other eye. I had my left eye done yesterday and now I have a major problem with double vision.  If I cover either eye I have good vision, but with both eyes uncovered, I have severe double vision. My ohphomologist tells me that I will have to excercise my eyes so that they will focus as one. I need to wait seven weeks bofore this eye is healed and I can get glasses to correct my astigmatism.  I was wondering if anyone else out there has experienced the same thing, and if excercise did help with the double vision.

[JodieJ]

It's not astigmatism that's causing your double vision--it's an eye muscle problem.  After I developed double vision a few years ago, I had eye muscle surgery (a painless outpatient procedure) to eliminate it.  You should consult a strabismus specialist (sometimes called a pediatric ophthalmologist, but they see adults, too).  Your ophthalmologist can refer you.

[mars16]

Thank-you....that really makes sense, since that was the method of correcting my astigmatism in first place. As much as I try, I cannot overcome this double vision. I will be contacting my ohpthomologist shortly to bring this up again.

[JodieJ]

Forget about my comment above--you don't need iseikonic glasses.  Your problem is probably not having the prisms, which greatly help your eyes to work together (preventing double vision).  In your place, I'd get new glasses with prisms made ASAP.  Just make sure to choose an optical shop that will remake the glasses at no charge should your prescription change.  Most places will do this within a 30-90 day time frame.  

[mars16]

Thanks JodieJ, for your comments. Prior to my cataract surgery I had glasses with prisms to correct my astigmatism. I was just a bit confused about the comments from my surgen regarding trying to focus so that I would see only one image, instead of two clear, separate images. No matter what I do, I cannot make that happen. It looks like I will have to live with this until my eyes are healed and I can get the corrective lenses I require. Presently, it is quite a distraction,  trying to work and lead a normal life.
Again, thanks for taking the time to comment...

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

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[JodieJ]

If your problem is due to a difference in refractive error between your eyes, special iseikonic glasses might solve your problem.  These glasses equalize the image size between your eyes by adjusting the base curves, center thickness, and vertex distance of the lenses.  If you need help finding a provider who knows how to make these glasses, please post again.  I agree with Dr. Hagan that eye exercise probably won't help much.  

[mars16]

Thank-you for your response. Today, I am finding that my vision is much improved, and at times, the eyes are working as one. Hopefully, this will continue to improve over the weekend. With such a severe myopia (about minus 17 in both eyes) I guess there will be an adjustment period. Overall, thank heavens for such great technology. My ohpthomologist was correct, but it is re-assuring  to learn that others might have experienced the same thing.

Again, thanks..

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

It is a common problem. Hopefully corrected with new glasses. Usually glasses can be prescribed at 3 weeks if its a major problem for you.  Generally exercises are not helpful.

JCH MD