Vertical Diplopia TRUE IMAGE on BOTTOM? Anyone???

[smittyditty]

Ok so as I sit around waiting for answers from blood work, my vision is slowly progressing. I have vertical double vision.

First two episodes were 2 minutes in length and were crystal clear on top of each other. One mid-day the other afternoon.
Two episodes of blurry vision also 1 minute in length one AM and I'm not sure the other.

Then I started having consistent double vision that is a faint image on top of the other and with contrasting objects light and dark. Like black and white. This used to be intermittent and now is more constant. However everything I read says in double vision that is vertical the True Image or original image is on top. NOT MINE. So does this point to something more specific?

I always have the true image on bottom false on top. I have tried looking at an object up high and seeing which eye falls first for MG and nothing happens. This is what the Neuro thinks it Might be. I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol, and young. The MRI showed slight inflamation of left optic nerve and VEP showed problems with Right Eye.

When I look to left the double vision is worse. That eye is also worse and has minor pain. I also have neck pain on right side of neck. Ear pain that feels like a ice pick in my ear or ear infection in my left ear. ANY CLUES???

[MSer102]

When I had double vision, this is how my eye doctor explained it to me. Both images are real because both eyes are giving a picture. But which one is true depends on if both of your eyes are moving or if one is moving and the other one isn't. I'll try to explain it the same way he did.

If both eyes are moving the true image is the eye your looking with and paying attention to. If your looking with your right eye then your right one is the true image and the left one is false. If your looking with your left eye then the left image is true and the right one is false. If only one eye is moving like its supposed to then that one is the true image and the one that's not moving is the false image. The false image might be on the right or on the left depending on where your eyes are aiming.

If the double vision is up and down, its kind of the same way as if both eyes are moving or only one is moving. If your looking with your right eye then the right eye is the true image and the left one is the false image. But the false image might be above OR below the true image depending on where your eyes are aiming. If your looking with your left eye then the left eye is the true image and the right eye is the false one. The false image might be above the true one or below the true one depending on where your eyes are aiming. There's no rule. It all depends on where your eyes are aiming. So whatever one is true for you is true for you and whatever one is false for you is false for you. That's just how it is.

I hope I explained that right because it took me two episodes of double vision for me to get what my doctor was saying.

It doesn't sound like you've seen an ophthalmologist about it because I don't think you would have to ask here if you have. Your neuro should have already referred you to an ophthalmologist but if not you should go yourself.

Eyes aren't anything for a neuro to goof around with. They don't know all the tests the ophthalmologist knows. The ophthalmologist will test how your eyes are moving and tell you which one has the problem that's causing the double vision.

That way you'll know that the eye that's not working right is the false image and the one that's moving the right way is the true image. But whether its up or down or left or right depends on which eye is causing the problem. So I think you should go to the ophthalmologist and find out!

[polopuppy]

Sorry, I wish I could help but mine is opposite of yours. I have had vertical diplopia since 2004. The true image is always on the top, with a crystal clear copy below but slightly offset to the left. The bottom of the real image can be a few inches above the top of the copy or several feet apart depending on how bad my vision is at the moment.

My double vision never went away despite IV steroids and lots of time but has improved with IVIG. I still have to wear glasses with the strongest possible prism prescription. The glasses do allow my eyes to fuse and work together. Early on, the prism glasses didn't help and if I was tired, it was even worse. My doubling worsens if I look to the left like yours.

My neuro-ophthalmologist says I also have a skew deviation (never really understood what that meant exactly) and possible occular MG. I have a very droopy right eyelid that I can barely keep open at times. My eyes are very light sensitive too.

I have frequent pain in my left eye that worsens with movement and pain/fullness in my left ear. I feel like I have an ear infection all the time or fluid in the ear that never leaves. Not sure that any of this will be of any help to you but I thought I would share my experiences. Good luck and may you find answers quickly.

[acaverly]

I see a nuero opthamologist and dealing with some of the same problems with my right eye. I have double vision when my right eye trys to look left.

[smittyditty]

Thank you all for your response. I was getting worried that I was not really having double vision...lol and that the left half of my body was going numb for no reason and that my astigmatism was going to make me blind..lol.

I want to go to a Ophthalmologist but we already spent $1400 just in MRI's alone. My husband while he loves me doesn't want us to be in the poor house and wants us to wait for blood tests first. Then I'll go to the Ophthalmologist. I'm hoping this new info will help him see I need to go sooner.

Its easy to say wait when he isn't seeing double.

[22cyclist]

SmittyDitty: I am sorry you have this. I have it due to an MLF lesion. My true image is on the top and false image is on the bottom. I have to wear prisms in my glasses. I agree with the other OP that posted about prisms sometimes they help sometimes they make it worse. For the most part, the help.

I wish you the best in figuring the whole thing out and finding a best solution.

Good luck
Lisa
Moderation Team

[wendya432]

My vertical diplopia is true image on top. We aren't sure if it's MS related or related to a congenital eye problem in my case.

[MinnieGirl]

I Have I Have The Same Thing

Only with a twist. One eye sees things vertically, the other horizontally. Traffic lights appear in a triangular shape.

I saw an Ophthalmologist who discovered I have decreased color perception in my left eye, refractive diplopia, and convergence insufficiency. She recommended my neurologist evaluate me for Multiple Sclerosis and Myasthenia Gravis.

Still going through the diagnostic process. I do have two ovoid lesions in my brain. My neurologist referred me to an MS specialist, whom I will be seeing next week.

My vision went bad suddenly on July 11th and then woke to severe ghosting on September 22nd.

I get glasses that help a little and some days my vision is worse than others. I think the glasses are more for the Convergence Insufficiency.

I know one thing, it totally freaked me out to wake up and suddenly find my vision like that. I used to have great vision and never wore glasses.

[MinnieGirl]

I Also Meant to Say

I also have the same thing with light and dark contrasting. For example, road signs signs that are white with dark lettering, or light lettering with a dark background. I can't read them, they are blurry. Even with my glasses they are hard to read, as are lighted gas station signs and other neon signs.

Best of luck, I hope you (and I ) have some answers soon.

Hugs, Minnie

[artteacher]

MinnieGirl, I have the same problems with ghosting that you have. I notice it more often after reading and being on the computer. I also convergence insufficency so I wear glasses with prisms. They help unless my eye are fatigue.

[MinnieGirl]

Artteacher

Did yours suddenly happen? Did you have Optic Neuritis? I think I may have had it because although there is no mention in the Radiologist report, my left eye looks way different than my right in the MRI done shortly after the first episode. I think based on the Ophthalmologist report and her recommendation she may have thought that's what it was although she didn't come right out and say it.

Thank you for reading and writing back, Minnie

[Nicole13]

I have also been having vertical diplopia. My primary was convinced it was from MS. I went to the neuro, who sent me to an opthamologist. He basically said he didn't know. I have slight inflammation on my optic nerves, but not enough for him to be concerned. He said it could be any number of things but his best guess was an astigmatism in both eyes. I am not sure that I buy this response. I have been having double vision every day since Thanksgiving with any reflective surface, any light/dark contrast, where the light shadows onto the dark, and with lights. It is so annoying. I plan on getting a second opinion as soon as I can pay off some more bills.

[MinnieGirl]

I Know What You Mean Nicole

I am going through the same thing! I don't want to hijack this thread, yet hopefully the OP will realize they are not alone.

I don't know if my glasses are prisms or not. They help some, depending on what day it is

I believe my Ophthalmologist is onto something, it's just that all these tests are taking a long time. I don't want a rush diagnosis by any means, yet it would be good to know if my eye problems and other symptoms are related.

All the best, Hugs Minnie

[Nicole13]

Minnie,
The opthamologist tried the corrective lenses that he could offer me. It didn't help one bit. I still saw four of what was on the wall. It is very discouraging to know that my only option to deal with it is a surgery that I can't afford. =( He doesn't even know if that is truly my problem. My astigmatisms aren't even that bad according to him. So there is still a part of me that thinks maybe an MRI could show a lesion that would explain why my vision is malfunctioning in the way that it is.

[MinnieGirl]

Hi Nicole

If you have what I do, and with vision and all this mess it is so hard to tell, surgery probably wouldn't fix it. I have to say that my Ophthalmologist visit was the most thorough visit with any medical professional I have ever had. I believe she saw something in my eyes.

I got a copy of my visit report /notes. I had just begun seeing a neurologist because of a variety of symptoms. She gave me differential (working) diagnoses of MS and MG and put in a request for my neurologist to evaluate me for those things.

My brain MRI was in August, right during the time all this weirdness was developing, in my eyes as well as on my right side. I think you are right, another opinion and a brain MRI would be a good idea. I also know how costly these things are

Best of luck, it sure gets frustrating. Hugs, Minnie