US Medical Term · symptoms
Double Vision
Visión doble
Also: Diplopía (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Double Vision |
| Spanish (Español) | Visión doble |
| Chinese (中文) | 複視 |
| Korean (한국어) | 복시 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Nhìn đôi |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Double vision |
| Portuguese (Português) | Visão dupla |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เห็นภาพซ้อน |
| Japanese (日本語) | 複視 |
What it means
Double vision (diplopia) means seeing two images of a single object. It may occur in one eye (monocular) or both eyes together (binocular). Monocular double vision often results from astigmatism, cataracts, or corneal irregularities. Binocular double vision — which disappears when one eye is closed — may indicate nerve or muscle problems affecting eye movement, including stroke, multiple sclerosis, aneurysm, or a brain tumor. Sudden double vision, especially with headache, pain behind the eye, drooping eyelid, or dizziness, is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately. If double vision develops gradually, see an eye specialist or neurologist promptly for evaluation.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I am seeing two of everything when I look straight ahead, and it started suddenly.
Estoy viendo dos de todo cuando miro hacia adelante, y empezó de repente.
The double vision goes away when I close one eye.
La visión doble desaparece cuando cierro un ojo.
I have been having episodes of double vision for the past week, especially when looking to the side.
He tenido episodios de visión doble durante la última semana, especialmente cuando miro hacia los lados.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
H53 Visual disturbancesRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026