Double vision is seeing two images of a single object. These two images often overlap, with one image to the side or slightly higher in relation to the other.

Having two eyes gives us the depth perception to see the world in three dimension. To create binocular vision, your brain takes the images gained from each eye and fuses the two images together.

For binocular vision to work, both of your eyes must aim at the same target. Located in two different positions, each of your eyes takes in a unique view from its own perspective. Doctors refer to this as binocular vision. Eye muscles control your eyes to keep them properly aligned on the same target.

The two images arrive simultaneous in the back of your brain, where your brain merges the two images into one three-dimensional picture. Doctors refer to this as ‘stereo vision’ or stereopsis.

Double vision occurs when your eyes do not aim at the same target or when your brain has trouble merging the two images.

Double vision may be temporary and go away on its own. Drinking too much alcohol or being overly tired can lead to temporary double vision. This type of short-term double vision is usually not a cause for concern. Long-lasting double vision, or diplopia that keeps coming back, can be a sign of a more serious problem.

How Developmental Optometry can Help with Double Vision

While healthy eyes are important to good vision, how you see is also a result of how you have learned to use your eyes. A developmental optometrist can help your child learn better ways to use his eyes through eye exercises and lenses.

At Washington Vision Therapy Center, our vision therapy program for children always starts with a comprehensive development vision evaluation. In addition to a visual acuity test, our developmental optometrists assess the child’s visual perception, eye focusing, eye tracking and eye teaming skills.

We then create individualized therapy plan that fits the unique needs of your child. Our developmental optometrists use a specialized computer and optical devices, including filters and lenses, as part of our treatment plan.

Vision therapy helps your child’s eyes and brain develop new visual skills. It also builds a strong connection between her visual skills and her cognitive skills, which are the skills she uses to think, read, learn, remember, reason, and pay attention.

If you or your child is suffering with double vision, call Washington Vision Therapy Center at 509-654-9256 to schedule an appointment for a vision exam.