What is double vision commonly referred to as?

Double vision is commonly referred to as diplopia. This term is derived from the Greek word "diplous," which means "double." In medical contexts, diplopia describes the condition where an individual sees two images of a single object, which can result from various underlying issues such as misalignment of the eyes, neurological problems, or other ocular conditions.

Understanding the terminology is crucial for identifying and addressing vision-related problems. For instance, amblyopia refers to a condition often termed "lazy eye," which involves reduced vision in one eye. Astigmatism is a refractive error caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, leading to blurred or distorted vision. Presbyopia, on the other hand, is an age-related condition in which the eye gradually loses the ability to focus on nearby objects. Each of these conditions differs significantly in their symptoms and underlying causes, highlighting the importance of using the correct terminology in both diagnosis and treatment.