Binocular diplopia is a medical condition where a person sees two images of a single object. The spelling of binocular diplopia can be confusing because it includes several difficult sounds. In International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the word is spelled as /baɪˈnɒkjʊlər daɪˈpləʊpɪə/. The first syllable includes a diphthong, the second includes a silent letter, the third includes a palatalized consonant, and the fourth includes a dipthong followed by a glottal stop. Despite these challenges, health professionals must use precise spelling when documenting this condition.
Binocular diplopia is a medical term used to describe a condition where a person experiences double vision in both eyes. The term "binocular" refers to vision that relies on the coordinated use of both eyes, while "diplopia" is the medical term for double vision.
This type of diplopia differs from monocular diplopia, which occurs in just one eye, and is usually caused by a problem within the eye itself. Binocular diplopia, on the other hand, is commonly associated with a misalignment of the eyes or a disruption in the coordination of eye movements.
When an individual has binocular diplopia, they perceive two separate images instead of a single image. These images may appear side by side, vertically stacked, or at different angles depending on the specific misalignment of the eyes. This condition can significantly affect one's depth perception, coordination, and ability to perform daily tasks that require visual precision.
The causes of binocular diplopia can vary and may include conditions such as strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes), cranial nerve palsy (damage or dysfunction of a cranial nerve), or trauma to the eye or surrounding structures. Treatment for binocular diplopia typically involves addressing the underlying cause, which may involve medical interventions, corrective lenses, eye exercises, or in some cases, surgery.
Overall, binocular diplopia is a condition characterized by double vision that affects both eyes due to a misalignment or disruption in the coordination of eye movements.
Double vision caused by muscular imbalance, the visual axes not being fixed on the same point.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The etymology of the word "binocular diplopia" can be broken down as follows:
1. Binocular: The term "binocular" is derived from the Latin words "bi" meaning "two" and "oculus" meaning "eye". In English, the word binocular refers to something that is used by or relating to both eyes.
2. Diplopia: "Diplopia" comes from the Greek words "di" meaning "double" and "plosis" meaning "sight". Diplopia refers to double vision, where a person sees two images of a single object.
When combined, "binocular diplopia" refers to the condition of seeing two distinct images of an object with both eyes.