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Cranial Nerve Palsy

WHAT ARE CRANIAL NERVES?

Cranial nerves connect the brain to parts of our head, face, and upper body. We have 12 pairs of these nerves. Some help us feel things (like seeing or smelling), while others move muscles and control glands.

WHICH CRANIAL NERVES AFFECT THE EYES?

Five of the 12 cranial nerves are important for the eyes.

• The second nerve (optic nerve) helps us see.
• The third nerve (oculomotor nerve) helps move the eye, eyelid and parts inside the eye.
• The fourth nerve (trochlear nerve) also helps move the eye.
• The sixth nerve (abducens nerve) also helps move the eye.   
• The fifth nerve (trigeminal nerve) lets us feel things on our face and eyes.  

WHAT IS A CRANIAL NERVE PALSY?

A cranial nerve palsy means the nerve doesn’t work right. This can make it hard to move or feel parts of the face or eyes.

WHAT CAN CAUSE NERVE PROBLEMS?

Many things can cause these problems:

• Being born with it
• Getting hurt
• Having health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes
• Having a stroke
• Getting an infection
• Having a bad headache
• Having a tumor
• Having high pressure in the brain

Doctors can help figure out the cause.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE THIS NERVE PROBLEM? 

Problems with the third, fourth, or sixth nerves can:

• Make it hard to move your eyes
• Make your eyes point in the wrong direction
• Make you see double

CAN IT BE FIXED?

Sometimes, these problems get better on their own. Doctors often wait 6 months to see if this happens. During this time, you might:

• Wear special glasses to help with the double vision
• Cover one eye

If it doesn't get better, you might need eye muscle surgery. Your eye doctor will decide what's best after checking your eyes

Updated 09/2024

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