Heteronymous diplopia is a medical condition that refers to double vision caused by misaligned eyes. The spelling of "heteronymous" has several tricky phonemes, including the "h" which is silent, and the "a" which is pronounced like the "a" in "cat". The "nym" in "heteronymous" is pronounced like "nim," and the stress is on the third syllable: het-er-ON-o-mous. "Diplopia" follows more straightforward phonetics, with the stress on the second syllable and the "plo" pronounced like "plow." The IPA transcription for "heteronymous diplopia" is /ˌhetəˈrɒnəməs dɪˈpləʊpiə/.
Heteronymous diplopia is a term used in the field of medicine and ophthalmology to describe a specific type of double vision that occurs when looking in a particular direction. This condition is characterized by the perception of two separate images of a single object, one of which appears in the visual field of one eye, while the other appears in the visual field of the other eye.
The term "heteronymous" refers to the fact that the double vision occurs with objects located horizontally away from the primary gaze direction. This means that the double vision is present when looking towards one side, but the images align when looking straight ahead. The diplopia is "heteronymous" because the two images are seen by different eyes, rather than being superimposed in one field of vision.
Heteronymous diplopia can occur due to different underlying causes, including cranial nerve palsies, muscle imbalances, or trauma to the eye or orbital region. It can also be caused by certain medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumors.
When experiencing heteronymous diplopia, individuals may have to close one eye to temporarily alleviate the symptoms and see clearly. Treatment for this condition often involves addressing the underlying cause, which may include physical therapy, surgical intervention, or medical management, depending on the specific case. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist is the medical professional that can diagnose and determine the best course of action for managing heteronymous diplopia.
Crossed d., d. in which the false image is on the same side as the sound eye; d. due to divergent squint or paralysis of the internal rectus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "heteronymous diplopia" has Greek and Latin roots.
1. Heteronymous: This term is derived from the Greek words "heteros" meaning "different" and "onoma" meaning "name". In medical terminology, "heteronymous" is used to describe a condition where the eyes perceive two different images.
2. Diplopia: The word "diplopia" is derived from the Greek roots "di-" meaning "double", and "ploos" meaning "twofold" or "double". Medically, "diplopia" refers to the perception of double vision.
Therefore, when combined, "heteronymous diplopia" refers to a condition where a person sees two different images, usually caused by misalignment of the eyes or other vision-related issues.