diplopia
Pronunciation: dip-LOH-pee-ah
Double vision resulting from misalignment of the eyes or neurological dysfunction affecting eye movement.
Full Definition
Diplopia, or double vision, occurs when the eyes are misaligned, causing the brain to receive two different images of the same object. In neuro-ophthalmology, diplopia often indicates dysfunction of the cranial nerves controlling eye movement (III, IV, or VI) or the extraocular muscles themselves. It can be monocular (persisting when one eye is covered) or binocular (resolving with monocular viewing). Binocular diplopia suggests neurological pathology and requires urgent evaluation. The pattern of diplopia helps identify which cranial nerve or muscle is affected.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether diplopia is monocular or binocular, as this distinction guides differential diagnosis.
In Context
- "The patient complained of horizontal diplopia that worsened when looking to the right." — Emergency department triage note
- "Monocular diplopia in the left eye suggested a refractive rather than neurological cause." — Ophthalmology evaluation