Carotid-cavernous fistula diagnosed after man reports double vision

A man in his 60s was diagnosed with a carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) after experiencing blurred vision and double vision. Medical examinations, including an MRI, revealed that high-pressure blood from the carotid artery was leaking into the cavernous sinus venous system.

Symptoms associated with this condition include drooping eyelids, red and swollen eyes, limited eye movement, and increased intraocular pressure. Doctors warn that if left untreated, the abnormal blood flow can lead to secondary glaucoma or permanent vision damage.

Medical professionals advise that sudden binocular diplopia—where an individual sees two images when both eyes are open but only one image when one eye is covered—should not be dismissed as simple eye fatigue. If accompanied by neurological symptoms such as headaches, eye pain, or numbness, immediate medical evaluation is necessary.