What is diplopia?

Diplopia, commonly known as double vision, occurs when a person sees two images of a single object. This condition can arise due to various factors affecting the eye muscles, nerves, or the brain, which disrupt the alignment of the eyes. When functioning properly, both eyes work together to focus on the same target, sending a single image to the brain. In cases of diplopia, this coordination is disturbed, leading to the perception of multiple images. Understanding this term is important in clinical settings, as it can indicate underlying conditions such as strabismus, cataracts, or neurological issues that may require further investigation or treatment. The other choices pertain to different vision-related issues but do not accurately define diplopia.