Double vision

Double vision is the experience of seeing duplicated vision, [1] [2] similar to when one crosses their eyes. Depending on the intensity, this effect can result in a reduced ability to function and perform basic tasks that necessitate the use of sight.

The effect can easily be suppressed by closing one eye. This suggests that double vision may occur when the brain overlays the data received from both eyes on top of each other incorrectly, failing to properly merge the information into a singular 3-dimensional image as it normally would during everyday life.

This effect is capable of manifesting across the 3 different levels of intensity described below:

Level 1

Mild

At the lowest level, double vision is subtle and mostly ignorable. Although obviously present at this stage, it is still not intense enough to render the person incapable of perceiving visual details necessary for certain tasks, such as reading text or crossing a busy street.

Level 2

Distinct

At this level, double vision becomes intense enough to result in extreme difficulty performing tasks that require the perception of fine details, such as reading. However, the perception of large-scale details, like a person's general environment, tends to remain readily perceivable with both eyes open.

Level 3

Strong

At the highest level, double vision becomes so intense that the person will no longer be able to accurately perceive small and large-scale visual details of their environment. This will necessitate the person to close one of their eyes at all times in order to function as they would sober.

Double vision is often accompanied by other coinciding effects, such as visual acuity suppression and visual agnosia. This effect is most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of depressant and dissociative compounds, such as alcohol, quetiapine, ketamine, and DXM. [3] However, it can also occur much less consistently under a wide range of other classes of compounds, such as hallucinogens, stimulants, anticholinergics, SSRIs, opioids, GABAergics, and cannabinoids.


References

  1. Marsh, A. (1979). Visual hallucinations during hallucinogenic experience and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 5(4), 628. | https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/5.4.627
  2. Smith, J. L., & Buncic, J. R. (1999). Drugs which can affect near vision: a useful list. American Orthoptic Journal, 49, 180-190. | https://uwpress.wisc.edu/journals/pdfs/AOJ_49_178.pdf

Tags

depressant
dissociative
sensory
suppression
visual

Contributors

The following people contributed to the content of this article:

JosieGrahamNatalie