Which type of visual impairment is characterized by double vision?

Diplopia, commonly referred to as double vision, occurs when a person perceives two images of one object. This can happen when the eyes do not properly align, leading to disconnection in muscles or neurological pathways responsible for eye coordination. In stroke rehabilitation, understanding diplopia is crucial since it can significantly affect a patient's ability to navigate their environment and perform daily activities.

Other types of visual impairments listed have different characteristics. Hemianopsia refers to loss of vision in half of the visual field, typically as a result of a stroke affecting the optic tract or visual cortex. Scotoma involves partial loss of vision or a blind spot in an otherwise normal visual field, often caused by damage to the retina or optic nerve. Agnosia refers to the inability to recognize and identify objects, people, sounds, shapes, or smells, typically linked to neurological damage, not directly related to visual acuity itself. Thus, diplopia is uniquely identified by the phenomenon of seeing two images, making it the accurate choice.