Diagnostic Tests for Double vision

Diagnostic Test list for Double vision:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Double vision includes:

• Eye examination
  • Visual acuity
  • Visual fields
  • Look for associated proptosis (forward displacement of the eyeball). If bilateral may suggest hyperthyroidism from Graves disease. If unilateral
  • Look for associated chemosis (swelling of the conjunctiva), ecchymoses (bruising around the eye) or periorbital edema (swelling of the eyelids) which can suggest cavernous sinus thrombosis
  • If unilateral chemosis (swelling of the conjunctiva), ecchymoses (bruising around the eye and proptosis (forward displacement of the eyeball) consider arteriovenous aneurysm
• Physical examination
  • Examine the central nervous system - if find abnormalities such as limb weakness or increased tone in the limbs would suggest a brain stem stroke or brain stem tumor (because advanced intracranial pressure would also put pressure on the 6th cranial nerve and thus causes double vision) or multiple sclerosis.
  • Examine cranial nerves for abnormalities, especially 3rd, 4th and 6th cranial nerves which are responsible for eye muscle movements
  • 3rd nerve palsy will present with complete ptosis (falling of the eyelid), dilated pupil, proptosis (forward displacement of the eyeball) and eye turned down and out
  • 4th nerve palsy will present with inability of eye to look down and in and with the person holding their head on a tilt
  • 6th nerve palsy will present with the eye turned inwards and unable to move outwards
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count and ESR - if fevers are present.
  • Blood cultures - if fever is present.
  • Thyroid hormones
• Radiological investigations
  • Skull X-Ray and Sinus X-Ray - if fever is present.
  • CT Brain, sinuses and orbits - if fever is present or suspect orbital or brain tumor.
  • MRI brain may be necessary to diagnose multiple sclerosis and some brain stem strokes
• Tensilon (edrophonium) test - if double vision is intermittent and suspect myasthenia gravis.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Double vision causes:

• Vision & Eye Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Eye Tests
  • Home Vision Tests

 » Next page: Glossary

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Glossary
• Disease Center Information
• Surveys
• Join in at the forums

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Take a survey relating to Double vision
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City