What Causes Double Vision?

Cataracts

Many individuals encounter cataracts as they age. In fact, they are one of the most common vision issues among individuals over fifty years old in the world. These imperfections are a condition of the eye's lens, which rests between the cornea and pupil. The job of the lens is to focus the light that passes through the cornea so a clear image hits the retina. This clear lens is made primarily of protein and water, and as individuals age, the protein can clump together into a cataract, causing a cloudy image. The distortion of the image can also lead to the ghost images of double vision. Fortunately, laser surgery can correct most cataracts.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands in the body. Like all autoimmune diseases, it involves the body's immune system attacking healthy parts of the body. Other signs of this syndrome include dry mouth and joint pain. Because the function of the tear glands is impacted, patients who suffer from Sjogren's syndrome often have to deal with severely dry eyes. Proper vision depends on a moist surface on the cornea. Double vision can occur when light hitting the dry cornea is altered or scattered. There is no cure for this syndrome, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Patients are asked to drink extra fluids to aid the body in producing tears and saliva. Artificial tears and medicated eye drops are also common prescriptions for dry eye relief.