physiological diplopia

Last reviewed 01/2018

Physiological diplopia is a normal phenomenon in which objects not within the area of fixation are seen as double. Usually, it is suppressed centrally and does not impinge on the consciousness. Occasionally, it is 'discovered' by a child who complains of double vision. Diagnosis is by absence of defective eye movement and demonstration of the phenomenon by asking the patient to look at a distant object whilst attention is directed to a near object.