Double vision (diplopia) is when you look at 1 object but can see 2 images. It may affect 1 eye or both eyes.
Non-urgent advice: See an optician or GP if you or your child have double vision
Signs that your child may have problems with their vision include:
- narrowing or squinting their eyes to try and see better
- covering one eye with their hand
- turning their head in unusual ways (for example, tilting their head)
- looking at you sideways instead of facing forward
It's important to get double vision checked out, even if it comes and goes. It's sometimes a symptom of a serious condition.
Urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if you have:
- eye pain and double vision
- a severe headache with blurred or double vision
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Other ways to get help
What happens at your appointment
Your optician or GP can ask about your symptoms and do some simple, painless eye tests. They may refer you to an eye specialist in hospital for tests and treatment.
Your optician can also let you know if you need to see a GP instead.
Treating double vision
Your eyecare team or GP can advise you about the best treatment for double vision once they work out the cause.
In some cases, this may be simple treatments such as eye exercises, wearing an eye patch or being prescribed glasses or contact lenses.
Some conditions that cause double vision may require eye surgery to correct the problem.
Causes of double vision
Double vision has many possible causes, depending on whether one eye or both eyes are affected.
Try covering one eye at a time to see if your double vision goes away.
If you still have double vision in one eye with the other one covered, it's probably only affecting that eye.
Double vision affecting both eyes (binocular)
Double vision affecting both eyes is usually a symptom of a squint.
This is where problems with the eye muscles or nerves cause the eyes to look in slightly different directions.
Squints are more common in children but they don't always cause double vision. An untreated squint in children under 7 causes a lazy eye instead.
Squints in adults are sometimes a sign of a more serious condition.
Double vision affecting one eye (monocular)
Double vision affecting one eye is less common. It's usually caused by eye problems such as:
- dry eye syndrome – where the eyes don't produce enough tears
- astigmatism – a common condition where part of the eye isn't a perfect shape
- cataracts – cloudy patches over the front of the eyes
- keratoconus – where the clear outer layer of the eye (cornea) gets thinner and changes shape
Important
You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you're diagnosed with double vision as it could affect your ability to drive.
Find out how to tell the DVLA about double vision (diplopia).
Page last reviewed: 26 September 2017
Next review due: 26 September 2020