Diplopia is best defined as which of the following?

Diplopia, commonly referred to as double vision, occurs when a person perceives two images of a single object. This phenomenon can be caused by various factors, including misalignment of the eyes, issues with the muscles that control eye movement, or neurological disorders affecting visual perception.

Understanding the nature of diplopia is critical in ophthalmic practice because identifying the underlying causes helps in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively. Although increased intraocular pressure is associated with glaucoma and can affect vision, it does not describe diplopia. Similarly, a tendency of the eyes to turn in (known as strabismus) can contribute to diplopia but does not capture the essence of the symptom itself. Finally, scar tissue on the retina is a condition that could lead to visual disturbances, but it is not specifically related to double vision. Thus, the best definition of diplopia is indeed double vision, capturing the core symptom succinctly.