diplopia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Medical / Technical
Quick answer
What does “diplopia” mean?
A medical condition of seeing a single object as two separate images.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition of seeing a single object as two separate images; double vision.
While strictly medical, it can be used metaphorically in literary or academic writing to describe a state of dual or conflicting perception.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent across varieties.
Connotations
Purely clinical and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, used exclusively in medical contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “diplopia” in a Sentence
The patient suffers from ~~ was caused by...~ presented as...to complain of ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diplopia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lesion can diplopise the visual field.
- Patients may diplopise objects on lateral gaze.
American English
- The condition can diplopize the visual field.
- The muscle weakness diplopized her vision.
adverb
British English
- The object appeared diplopically.
- He saw the world diplopically for a moment.
American English
- She was seeing diplopically only in one eye.
- The vision returned diplopically under stress.
adjective
British English
- He reported a diplopic episode lasting several hours.
- The diplopic image was horizontally displaced.
American English
- She presented with diplopic vision upon waking.
- The test confirmed a diplopic response.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and neuroscience papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used; 'double vision' is the common term.
Technical
Standard term in clinical neurology, ophthalmology, optometry, and related medical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diplopia”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diplopia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diplopia”
- Pronouncing it as /daɪˈploʊpiə/ (with a long 'i').
- Using it to describe simple blurriness.
- Spelling as 'diploppia' or 'diplopiaa'.
- Treating it as a general adjective (e.g., 'I feel diplopic').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Blurred vision is a loss of sharpness where edges are indistinct. Diplopia is the perception of two separate, often clear, images of a single object.
Yes, treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause, which can range from corrective lenses (prisms) and eye exercises to medication or surgery for neurological or muscular issues.
Immediately. Sudden onset of double vision can indicate serious conditions like stroke, aneurysm, or brain trauma and requires urgent medical evaluation.
Monocular diplopia persists when one eye is closed, often due to a problem within that eye (e.g., cataract). Binocular diplopia disappears when one eye is closed and is caused by misalignment of the eyes.
A medical condition of seeing a single object as two separate images.
Diplopia is usually formal / medical / technical in register.
Diplopia: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈpləʊpɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈploʊpiə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'diploma' (a double document of achievement) and 'opia' (relating to sight, as in 'myopia'). A 'diplopia' is like your eyes getting two diplomas, seeing double.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERCEPTION IS A CLEAR PICTURE / DIPLOPIA IS A SPLIT OR DUPLICATED PICTURE.
Practice
Quiz
Diplopia is most specifically associated with which field?