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What Causes Severe Eye Muscle Strain And Double Vision?

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jul 2016
Question: Hello, I'm experiencing vertical ghosting when looking at lights for at least several months (as many as 5 images above the light source and one below), along with light scattering, and now double vision when reading at times (or ghosting adjacent to the bottom or top of letters) , difficulty with the brightness of the phone or computer device, and now the latest is a feeling of muscle strain or pulling around the eyes. These symptoms occur in both eyes and when one or the other is closed, with the right being slightly worse than the left. I had a stabbing needle pain last Friday in the corner of my eye. I am under suspicion for MS (all else ruled out for the neuro symptoms), dx with parathesias, and just turned 49 (F). Eye doctor just told me it could be from a slightly cloudy lense, but that doesn't seem to add up as symptoms are in both eyes. Any suggestions? Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Ghost images in cylindrical error

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.

Such ghost images commonly occur in cylindrical refractory errors, where you are given a cylindrical correction and everything settles.Your problem is unlikely to be as simple as that.Since eye doctor has already been consulted,and glasses been the issue,that would have been taken care of .

This leaves us with a neurological problem and effects on ocular muscles, where awareness regarding MS is necessary.

If cloudiness of lens was the issue,that again would have been helped by glasses.

What you have to do as eye and general medical issues (MS) are being tackled,is to take care of general health.Proper diet,light exercises and rest is usually helpful.

Have proper follow up with internal medicine and eye doctor.
Do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (42 hours later)
Thank you very much Dr. Misra. Yes immediately upon wearing the new glasses and walking through the mall, I still saw ghost images hanging off of store signage letters, and ghost images of lights at a distance in another store. The condition also worsens at times recently from one day to the next, and now can include the computer or my phone (new development - with or without muscle pain/strain sensations around the eyes). The rapidity of this event is a little worrisome.

I would welcome any last input on this based on my new info, and nevertheless I am going to call and move up my next neurology appt which is scheduled for July.

Best regards,
xxxxxx
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Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (0 minute later)
Oops - worsens I mean as in it can be better one day and worse the next...
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cylindrical error.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
good of you to get back to me.
There is a strong likelihood that these images are due to refraction due to lens. There are two reasons, one is a incorrect cylindrical error which does not suit you and two,the two surfaces of lens are giving you different images,the other images not being sharp enough appear as ghost images.
Go to a optician, put your power in a frame and see that you do not get ghost images.Then we are sure that it is the glasses rather than anything else which is giving you ghost images.
Do this, visit an optician and then we can decide about the origin of problem.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (20 minutes later)
Thank you, Dr Misra, you are so kind.

I get these ghost images with AND/OR without the glasses on. So the new glasses which he said should help (if the problem is a slightly cloudy lense in my eyes as he observed), are not resolving the issue. I also have these images if I close either eye....so both eyes are affected.
doctor
Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Cylindrical error.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Good of you to get back to me.
In our practice we subject such patients to complete eye examination, including corneal topography and detailed slit lamp examination and retinal examination to pin point the reason for the problem.
Talk to your eye doctor regarding tbis in detail to submit you to detailed testing and get back to us with reports.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. N K Mishra

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :1977

Answered : 1297 Questions

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What Causes Severe Eye Muscle Strain And Double Vision?

Brief Answer: Ghost images in cylindrical error Detailed Answer: My dear, Thanks for sending your query to us. Such ghost images commonly occur in cylindrical refractory errors, where you are given a cylindrical correction and everything settles.Your problem is unlikely to be as simple as that.Since eye doctor has already been consulted,and glasses been the issue,that would have been taken care of . This leaves us with a neurological problem and effects on ocular muscles, where awareness regarding MS is necessary. If cloudiness of lens was the issue,that again would have been helped by glasses. What you have to do as eye and general medical issues (MS) are being tackled,is to take care of general health.Proper diet,light exercises and rest is usually helpful. Have proper follow up with internal medicine and eye doctor. Do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.