What does the term "Diplopia" refer to in vision science?

Diplopia is a term used in vision science to describe the condition commonly known as double vision. This occurs when a person perceives two images of a single object. Diplopia can result from a variety of underlying issues, such as misalignment of the eyes, which may be due to problems with the eye muscles or neurological conditions affecting visual coordination. Understanding this term is critical in vision science as it can indicate problems that require further assessment and possibly treatment to restore normal vision. The other options describe different visual conditions: near-sightedness refers to difficulty seeing distant objects clearly; a distorted image relates to when the visual perception of an object is altered or warped; and strabismus is a condition characterized by misalignment of the eyes that can lead to diplopia.