Treatment Options for Double Vision

If you have double vision, the underlying cause may be minor, such as astigmatism or dry eyes. For more complex causes such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, you may need treatment from other specialists in addition to our ophthalmologists. Or, you may need emergency treatment if your condition is serious, such as a brain aneurysm or cancerous tumor.

Depending on the cause of your double vision, our eye specialists may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Blocking or blurring the vision of one eye to minimize double vision, using:
  • An eye patch
  • An occlusive lens, either a contact lens or a lens applied to glasses
  • A Fresnel prism, applied to glasses
• Injecting botulinum toxin (Botox) into the stronger eye muscle to relax it and allow the weaker eye muscle to recover. Botox can be a temporary or permanent treatment, depending on the underlying condition.
• Using surgery to treat some muscular problems (less common)
• Treating other medical conditions by coordinating care with other Stanford specialists, including:
  
  • A diabetologist: an endocrinologist specializing in diabetes for patients who have diabetes
  • An ear, nose and throat specialist for patients who have sinus conditions or facial fractures
  • An endocrinologist specializing in thyroid disorders for patients who have Graves‘ disease
    
  • A neurologist for patients with myasthenia gravis or damage to cranial nerves that control eye movement
  • An oncologist for patients who have cancer in the brain

Diagnosing Double Vision

Our eye experts work quickly to diagnose the underlying causes of double vision so that we can begin treatment immediately. Learn more about our expertise in double vision diagnosis.