From the Research
Etiology of Monocular Diplopia
The etiology of monocular diplopia can be attributed to various factors, including:
- Cataract: A study published in 2006 1 found that higher-order aberrations, such as spherical aberration and secondary astigmatism, caused by a cortical cataract can lead to monocular diplopia.
- Refractive error: According to a study published in 2001 2, refractive errors can cause monocular diplopia, which can be managed by an ophthalmologist.
- Retinal disease: Retinal diseases can also cause monocular diplopia, as mentioned in the 2001 study 2.
- Cortical dysfunction: An unusual form of monocular double vision can occur in the setting of cortical dysfunction, including cerebral polyopia and palinopsia, as described in the 2001 study 2.
Other Possible Causes
Other possible causes of monocular diplopia include:
- Ocular ischemic lesions: A study published in 2019 3 found that ocular ischemic lesions were common in patients with giant cell arteritis, which can cause diplopia.
- Giant cell arteritis: Giant cell arteritis is a rare but serious cause of diplopia, as reported in the 2019 study 3.
- Brain tumors: A study published in 2017 4 found that brain tumors were a possible cause of diplopia in children.
- Demyelinating conditions: Demyelinating conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, can also cause diplopia, as mentioned in the 2017 study 4.
Diagnostic Approach
When evaluating a patient with monocular diplopia, it is essential to distinguish it from binocular diplopia, as mentioned in the 2001 study 2. A comprehensive diagnostic approach, including a thorough medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies, such as CT or MRI, may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of monocular diplopia, as discussed in the 2018 study 5.