What Causes Recurrent Episodes Of Blurred Vision And Double Vision?

Posted on Fri, 31 Oct 2014

Question: Hi, over the past few years I have had episodes of blurred vision, maybe two or three times a year. My eyes will go "out of sync" so to speak. They work well individually with one or the other covered, however together I see double images.
I had them (my eyes) checked a couple of years ago by an ophthalmologist who did not find anything but sent me to a neurologist for a cat scan which came back normal. I am 63 in good health and take no medications. my blood work came back normal except for Vitamin D deficiency and blood sugar at 110 (first time it was high). I am exercising and cutting out carbs to get that under control. I cannot play tennis with blurred vision and it seems to be occurring more often now, like once a month. Any thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be prodromal phase of migraine.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to health care magic.

I reviewed your history.
It seems from the history that you are having recurrent episodes of blurring of vision and double vision.
These symptoms usually occur in transient ischrmic attacks or in neurological migraine.
Since neurological examination and blood work up has come normal we need to rule out conditions like migraine.
If the diagnosis of migraine is confirmed it can be treated by use of anti migraine drugs.
Do discuss with your treating doctor for examination and prescription of drugs accordingly.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (3 hours later)

Thank you for your answer. However I do not have any migraine symptoms, no pain or headache of any kind. It just seems that one eye gets lazy and will not follow the other eye, I cannot tell for sure but as an engineer it is a mechanical diagnosis for me.
Can it be the Vitamin D or the elevated blood sugar?
Thanks,

Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Elevated blood sugar levels can cause this.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.

Altered blood sugar level, i.e. both increased and decreased level can cause these symptoms of blurring of vision.
Vitamin D is not related to these symptoms.

Absence of headache rules out common migraine, but few rare types of migraines like hemiplegic migraine, migraine associated with transient nerve palsies do present without headache.
However since in your case you do have increased blood sugar level you need to follow up the blood sugar level and if they continue to show variation you need to take appropriate treatment before going for other diagnosis.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D