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Visual Problems, Blurriness and Double Vision

If you are experiencing blurriness or double vision, it could be a sign of a neurological disorder. Blurriness can make objects hard to see; they may appear hazy or fuzzy. Double vision means seeing more than one image of the same thing. Many issues can cause these symptoms, including neurological disorders, such as stroke and brain injury, or disorders of the nerves that control eye movement.

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Symptoms

Other symptoms you might experience include:

Headaches
Dizziness
Difficulty with balance

Speak to a doctor if you have problems with your vision, especially if it persists or worsens over time.

Causes
A range of conditions can cause these symptoms to occur, typically due to issues with the eye itself. However, you should seek assistance if you have any of these symptoms because they could be caused by a neurological condition.

Neurological issues that can cause vision problems, blurriness, and double vision include:
- Brain haemorrhage caused by an aneurysm
- Brain tumour 
- Cranial nerve issues
- Stroke 
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
- Multiple sclerosis
- Myasthenia gravis
These conditions can cause other serious symptoms apart from vision problems, so if you have any concerns, it is important to get an assessment of your symptoms right away. This is so you can put your mind at ease and start any treatment you might need.

Diplopia (also known as double vision) is also a potential sign of vertigo. If you have both these symptoms, please seek further medical advice.

We can help you understand and manage these symptoms, so book an appointment today to find out more from our leading specialists.
Diagnosis

Our specialists will assess your symptoms to figure out what their cause is. Tests could include eye exams, vision and refraction tests, tonometry (measuring eye pressure), and imaging. These tests determine if the issue of double vision is in one eye or in both eyes.

If you are found to have binocular double vision (meaning you have an issue with double vision in both eyes and not just one), this might indicate an issue with your brain or the nerves connected to your eyes.

Specific neurological tests may also need to be conducted. We will ask you if you have any pain or numbness around the eye sockets, facial weakness, and swallowing or speech problems. Our specialists will also be looking for ptosis (drooping eyelid), as this may be a sign of damage to your cranial nerves or myasthenia gravis.

Alongside neurological tests, an MRI may be necessary to gain a better understanding of what the brain, eye socket, and spinal cord look like. This can identify any structural issues with these features, which can help us rule out certain conditions, such as a tumour, aneurysm, or inflammation along a nerve. They can also uncover any signs of multiple sclerosis or stroke in the brain scan.
Treatment
We provide a thorough consultation with diagnostic tests and form a tailored treatment plan to suit the underlying cause of your symptoms. Treatment options can include:
- Medication: Eye drops may be prescribed to help relieve any dry eye symptoms by keeping the eyes moist.
- Eye patches: To help lessen the effects of double vision, we may recommend covering one eye. This will lessen abnormal eye movements.
- Surgery: This can address the physical issues with the eye. It will vary depending on your condition. It is important to discuss with a specialist whether surgery is necessary to correct your double vision.
Our specialists may suggest some lifestyle changes to help improve your symptoms. These might include resting your eyes after staring for long periods, practising eye exercises, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine.

If your symptoms are caused by an underlying neurological condition, we may suggest a suitable treatment to help treat these conditions. For example, we may suggest neurorehabilitation and neurophysiotherapy for those found to have multiple sclerosis or stroke.

You must follow your doctor’s instructions and take any medication as prescribed to help manage your symptoms. Remember, it’s always better to seek professional advice if you have concerns about your vision or other symptoms.

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10 Harley Street
London W1G 9PF
United Kingdom

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Call: 07954 847 479