Confusing double vision: “I often feel like being on a cruise ship during a storm”
A comment from the Strabismus World Facebook page:
“I have strabismus and amblyopia. At age 38, I had my first eye muscle surgery for crossed eyes which gave me really bad diplopia (double vision). Thank you for worsening my vision, Dr Mark Steckle. Finally, 4 years later, I found a Neuro-ophthalmologist who was willing to help. He collimated or aligned my eyes as best as he could but perfection is impossible. The dominant eye became strained and releases its grip of the recessive or weaker eye and this created the diplopia. The double vision can be very confusing, bordering on psychosis. The USA disability entity doesn’t “VIEW” this nightmare as a legitimate condition so one must keep risking oneself while driving and doing other critical tasks relying on a very confusing view of the world. I often feel as if I’m on a cruise ship during a storm! So much fun to drive and work. NOT!” – Davy Batiancila
Thank you, Davy, for giving us insight into how strabismus and amblyopia are affecting your life. Providing a strabismic’s perspective is what this project is all about. Another prime example of how crucial it is to start with low risk, none-invasive vision rehabilitation treatment before taking drastic measures such as muscle altering strabismus surgery. Then, often times, those surgeries lead to a repair surgeries keeping the vicious circle intact. Meanwhile, however, the primary neurological nature of strabismus and functional vision deficits will still not have been addressed through visual neuro-rehabilitation.
Thank you very much for commenting, Davy! I strongly identify as my story is very similar and I hope, over time, you find relief!
I can absolutely relate to this. As I made improvements in vt my entire world became steadier, but I can remember that sensation of feeling like I was constantly walking around onboard a ship at sea. I would often bump into walls walking down hallways or through doorways because of this unsteadiness. And its so sad that this condition isn’t recognized as a disability considering how constantly it affects every aspect of a persons life!
Thank you very much for commenting, Sarah. I do relate. Perhaps the unsteadiness is the biggest issue for me. Binocular vision plays a big role in figuring out where you are in space and in relation to other things. If it’s uncertain, you too feel uncertain. I’m glad you made a lot of progress in VT! We shall continue. 🙂
I can totally relate to this. I had strabismus surgery 16 years ago and have had double vision ever since. Although double vision can be disabling, I managed along just fine. That is until 2 years ago. Besides the usual double vision, I also have high anisometropic astigmatism which means one eye has unusually strong prescription. 2 years ago I went back for treatment of my double vision as it had worsen. We discussed treatment options and was prescribed prisms glasses. When handling my prescription we warned me to make sure that the base direction was correct (mines was base-in). Initially. Optical refused to fill prescription because owner knew me well and he had known I never had needed prisms. He suggested I get a second opinion. I went to another optical which I had gotten glasses before and they too told me I should get second opinion. They even offered me a free exam just to make sure. I went back 2 days later, and they confirmed I did have double vision and dispensed me my glasses. Glasses were okay first 2 days, but then I began experiencing headaches and nausea. I went back to find out the base direction was wrong (they were base-out). Long story short, I had to go back to doctor 5 times making sure every time that base direction was right. I never could adapt to them. As it turns out, the perpetrator was the prism itself as it had distorted my vision. I have been to 7 different doctors total, 5 saying that I should stay away from the prism. Now my vision is worse than before. I experience headaches and nausea daily, for which I must take Advil everyday and lie down for several hours. Mom and brother think I am making it all up. They want to lock me up in mental ward thinking I’ve lost my bolts. I try to explain to them but they just won’t reason with me. Mom says I shouldn’t be experiencing any symptoms because I no longer use them. I try to explain that the brain “eats up” the prism and changes your vision, but she retorts back that the brain eats up all the glasses prescription powers. I’ve tried calling a lawyer but had no success. Wonder if I will ever get some relief!
Davy, I often fear becoming disabled due to this. Not good to hear this mess isn’t considered by Social Security. Seeing things in the wrong places an having to know when to shut a eye to get the truth is very challenging, Driving, working and even walking through a store. It is good to know that people Understand! Thank you!
I am 57 yrs old, and have diplopia (double-vision) for almost 6 years now. Along with Nystagmus and esotropia, cataracts beginning both eyes and life-long near-sightedness I can identify with each and every symptom description mentioned in this entire blog. But there is some hope on the horizon with regards to our country’s view of the condition being a disability. I was just awarded my SSDI after a two and half year battle. The information and stories I found here thanks to Michael’s good insight to blog about his own experience gave me what I would consider my game-winning edge to win my case. So for those of you who are disabled due to this condition like me- never give up. Thanks Michael !!!
Thank you so much for letting me know how my work impacted you! It really means a lot. Support of any kind is welcome. 🙂