What is a common use of prisms in vision correction?

Prisms are optical devices that can alter the direction of light as it passes through them, which can be particularly beneficial in vision correction. One of the most common applications of prisms in optometry is their use to correct double vision, also known as diplopia.

When a person experiences double vision, it is often due to misalignment of the eyes. This misalignment prevents the images from both eyes from being fused into a single image in the brain. By incorporating prisms into the patient’s corrective lenses, light entering the eye can be redirected to ensure that the images from both eyes are aligned. This helps the brain to fuse the images more effectively, resolving the double vision.

Through careful measurement and understanding of how different prism strengths and orientations affect vision, optometrists can tailor a prism prescription to meet the specific needs of the patient, thus providing crucial relief from the discomfort and challenges associated with double vision.