Why My Vision Double When Looking Left, Right, Up, Or Down After Detached Retina?

Posted on Wed, 30 Nov 2022

Question: I had a detached retina in March and it was repaired on March 16th. The doctor used a laser to "spot weld" the retina back in place and put an air bubble in to hold the retina in place plus he put a silicon band around the eyeball to "prevent another detachment". After the air bubble disappeared on XXXXXXX 5th, my vision was a little blurry in that eye, but more annoying was the fact that my vision was double when looking left, right, up, or down. Is this common after a detached retina repair? And is it possible that the silicon band is causing the problem? Can this problem be repaired with lasik treatment or eyeglasses?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get eye movement checked.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
First and foremost is to decide that double vision is only there when you have both the eyes open or it is with either eye closed,thereby deciding that the double vision is binocular or ini ocular.
One strong possibility,though most unusual,is some restriction of movement of eyeball.This may give rise to double vision.So on your next visit for injection consult the doctor about the reason of double vision.
There may be a spasm of muscles due to handling but that is temporary and is relieved in a short time
So confirm if double vision is with one or both eyes and get the eye movement checked.Get back to me with these findings.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. N K Mishra (48 minutes later)

The double vision is only when I have both eyes open. If I close either eye, the vision is better. If I want to read, I find that closing my left eye (the one with the repaired retina), makes it easier to read the printed page. I will bring this up when I see my ophthalmologist on August 2nd for my macular degeneration injections (both eyes). Can this type of problem be corrected with lasik procedure or eye glasses?

Answered by Dr. N K Mishra (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
LASIK is not helpful.

Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to me.
This is a muscle balance problem.Here ladki is not helpful.I do not want you to wait till your next visit.You have to be assessed to pin point the muscle involved in the double vision.Since the double vision coincides with the surgery,we may presume it to be post surgical,otherwise a neurologist is to be consulted as then it becomes a muscle paralysis issue.
So let us not waste any time and proceed immediately to pin point the cause and start management.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T