Cranial mononeuropathy VI

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Central nervous system

Abducens palsy; Lateral rectus palsy

Symptoms may include double vision when looking to one side (unilateral injury). Pain or headaches may also occur.

Tests typically show that one eye has trouble looking to the side, while the other eye moves normally. An examination shows the eyes do not align -- either at rest, or when looking in the direction of the weak eye.

Your health care provider will perform a complete medical and neurological examination to determine the possible affect on other parts of the nervous system. Depending on the suspected cause, you may need blood tests, a head imaging study (such as an MRI or CT scan), and possibly a lumbar puncture (spinal tap).

Review Date: 04/28/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.