Sixth Nerve Palsy

Discussing with a professional the appearance of double vision or an eye that does not move normally helps guide the evaluation of eye paralysis due to a lesion of the abducens nerve. This nerve controls one of the muscles that move the eye outward, and its involvement limits that movement.

What it is: When the abducens nerve is damaged, the eye cannot move properly to the side, which alters the alignment of the gaze.

Common symptoms: Double vision, difficulty moving one eye outward and, at times, a tendency to turn the head to compensate.

Which specialist treats it? The ophthalmologist and the neurologist study this type of condition, with support from the neurosurgeon depending on the cause. In the presence of recently appeared double vision, the prudent thing is to seek evaluation without delay.