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Title: Diplopia

Author: DanHung Nguyen


Diplopia is commonly referred to as “double vision”, or when patients report seeing two images instead of one. The ability to fuse the two distinct images from each eye is a complex one requiring both a central or sensory component as well as a neuromuscular or motor component.  What is most concerning about sudden onset diplopia is that it can be the first manifestation of a systemic, muscular, or neurological disorder.

The first step in evaluating a patient with diplopia is a thorough history, including:

Physical exam:

Summary of Common Causes of Sudden-Onset Diplopia


  1. “Diplopia (Double Vision).” April 13, 2017.
  2. “Red Flags in Neuro-ophthalmology.” Accessed September 17, 2017.
  3. Root, Timothy. OphthoBook., 2012.

Identifier: Moran_CORE_24945
