Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Double Vision (Diplopia)?
Over the years, developments in the refractive surgery field have allowed surgeons to correct more eye problems than ever before. From myopia (short-sightedness) to presbyopia (ageing eyes), Laser Eye Surgery has helped to restore the sight of tens of millions of people around the world. But could it help with double vision?
What is Double Vision?
Double vision—also known as diplopia—is a fairly common problem that causes a person to see two images instead of one. While it is not usually serious and is often temporary, it is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of diplopia.
Double vision can occur for a wide range of reasons, including:
- Disorders that affect the eye muscles (such as myotonic dystrophy)
- Astigmatism
- Eye strain
- Dry eyes
- Cataracts
- Keratoconus
- Eye injury
It can also be a symptom of more serious conditions, including a brain aneurysm and stroke.
Double vision can affect both eyes (binocular) or both eyes (monocular).
When double vision affects both eyes, it is often a symptom of a squint (strabismus), which occurs when problems with muscles or nerves in the eyes cause them to look in slightly different directions. While squints are common in children, binocular double vision in adults can be a sign of a more serious condition.
When double vision affects one eye, it is often linked to another eye problem, such as dry eyes, astigmatism, cataracts, and keratoconus. In these cases, treating the underlying cause usually resolves double vision.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Treat Double Vision?
Laser Eye Surgery is a versatile treatment that can be used to correct refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia (long-sightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia. But can it help with double vision?
Well, while Laser Eye Surgery is not a treatment for diplopia, it may be helpful in some circumstances, such as when the double vision is caused by astigmatism.
Laser Eye Surgery is an effective treatment for astigmatism. It works by changing the shape of the cornea, which in astigmatic eyes isn’t perfectly round, by removing an area of tissue from the corneal bed. This adjusts the way light is refracted into the eye, correcting the refractive error.
In doing so, Laser Eye Surgery can also resolve any double vision that resulted from the astigmatism.
Treating Double Vision
As we mentioned earlier, double vision is usually nothing to worry about. Nonetheless, it is important to see a doctor if this problem occurs, as it can be indicative of a more serious condition. In most cases, however, the cause is simple and can be addressed easily.
For example, if your double vision is linked to dry eye syndrome or computer vision syndrome, applying lubricating eye drops and resting your eyes can be helpful. If double vision occurs due to cataracts, Cataract Surgery should mitigate the symptom.
When it comes to treating double vision, identifying the root cause is essential. If you are told that Laser Eye Surgery can eradicate your diplopia, it is always worth getting a second opinion to ensure you are receiving the best possible treatment.
If you’d like to learn more about Laser Eye Surgery at London Vision Clinic, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if you could be suitable for treatment.
