Double vision

[JenInCali]

Anybody else out there deal with double vision? It's at its worst when I am tired.

[Waulahn5]

Yes I suffer from double from time to time but I was warned this might happen because of hydroxychlorquine but it also happens when I am not particularly tired and can last up to a day. Also another side effect I sometimes get is light headness and dizzy spells.. Hope this helps because I don't what medication u r taking. Good luck and positive thoughts to u.

[trueman]

I get blurry vision. Can't say it's double. Occasionally I think I get night blindness (not sure if that is a real thing ha ha). Usually I feel like I can't focus with movement or artificial light/screens. Weird. Seems hit or miss when I get it but have associated it more so with balance issues. 

[vaderviper]

If you are having double vision I would suggest you be checked for a couple of other potential problems that could cause your diplopia. Do you notice if you have drooping eyelids?......check for myasthenia gravis. Thyroid dysfunction such as Graves disease can cause double vision. Good idea to have your blood sugar checked as well as Multiple Sclerosis. I honestly doubt if you have any of these disorders, but I always want to be sure when a patient complains of diplopia (double vision).

Dr. S (in USA)

P.S. If you were older, cataracts can cause diplopia. If you have a muscle weakness in one of the muscles that control eye movement (lateral or medial rectus) especially when just tired, that could easily be remedied by eyeglasses. An Optometrist or Ophthalmologist can easily determine if that is the cause.  Double vision should always be checked out. Good Luck.

[vernon123 in reply to vaderviper]

Hi I also have sever double vision especially at night.seems like soon as 9:00pm hits my eyes get extreamly bad.I also recently had one of my eye lids droop to were only halfmy eyeball is exposed.pple thought i was crazyn just tired but i new something happened.Now everyone notices n im thinking nowthe good eye is looking a bit drooped?I never had a clue what this could b caused frm.i was just informed that my thyroid is not working wat so ever n bin put on eltroxin which is breaking my face out severly.i dont wanna stp taking the med as im praying its going to make me feel better but I do not.just more complications.if anyone could advise me as to whatthe heck this could be or any sugestions??thnks

[vaderviper in reply to vernon123]

You should not stop taking the med!  You need to be rechecked by your Dr. and have your FREE T3 and T4 rechecked as well as your TSH. you may need to adjust the dosage. I also check for REVERSE T3 (most Dr.s do not. You may show a 'normal' T3 level, however if it is mostly reverse T3, it is of no value as Reverse T3 can not be utilized by the body. Also, some individuals are helped by giving them T3 (brand only....CYTOMEL in the USA) as well as T4 (Synthroid or Eltroxin, as in your case.......again both are BRAND ONLY). When it comes to replacing hormones I ONLY PRESCRIBE BRAND ONLY MEDS! Eltroxin is a T4 med, which is broken down in the body to T3......which the body can utilize for metabolism. Many Endocrinologists prefer to prescribe both T3 and T4........most people do well on T4 alone.

Hope I helped.

Dr. S.  (in the USA)

[BurcuBristol in reply to vaderviper]

Hello, there is another rare disease called Orbital Myositis that I am suffering from causes double vision. It's the inflammation of the eye muscles. I wanted to add this option also on the list you mentioned above just in case the post owner or anybody else might find it somewhat useful. Cheers

[vaderviper in reply to BurcuBristol]

Thank you, I should have stated that disease as well.......I got too fixated on the thyroid problem.....MY BAD! I should have been open minded about all possibilities as I am a retired Neuro-Ophthalmologist.

Best Regards,

Dr. S.

[JenInCali]

Thanks for that. With the thyroid I do have thyroiditis and I just had to decrease the synthroid because my tsh was very low. We can never get it right...it goes up and down so fast. Whopee

[vaderviper in reply to JenInCali]

TSH should not be the only indicator of Synthroid dosage. You need to have your free T3 and T4 checked as well as REVERSE T3. Your Dr. will understand why. "reverse" T3 can NOT be utilized by the body. Unfortunately most Dr's do not check for reverse T3.

Good Luck,

Dr. S.  (in the USA)

[Tiras]

Yes I do. It is almost like I can't focus at times. At this time I have no clues as to what is going on. 

[BurcuBristol]

Hello JenInCal,

I also do suffer from a constant severe double vision when I looked with both eyes for a month now. Mine started due to an eye inflammation. On MRI scan, the eye muscles found to be enlarged and my eye movements were limited.

As you mention yours only occurs when you are tired probably your case is totally different but I wouldn't underestimate any eye problem and get your eyes checked asap.

Get well soon!