Science Tidbits

Learn:

These articles teach readers of the effects of Sixth Nerve Palsy.

Sixth Nerve Palsy is a weakness of the nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle. The lateral rectus muscle rotates the eye away from the nose. (AAPOS, 2016) This weakness makes the muscle opposing the lateral rectus overpower the lateral rectus making the person's eye appear crossed, and the patient sees double.

Though the mot frequent causes are strokes, head trauma, brain tumors and even migraines, it can be present at birth.

This disorder can get better over time, but it depends on what type of trauma the person. Usually head injury Sixth Nerve Palsy heals in the first couple of months. (Micheal Rubin, 2016)

Think:

This type of Palsy is not catastrophic, though it is very annoying. I having to deal with this myself find it especially frustrating when trying to work, read or focus. The double vision can give certain people headaches and makes people look very odd and unfocused.  This can give people in social situations awkward explanations if they are shy… This condition may also lead to bullying in younger children because they look different.

Ask:

Why does this only focus on one eye?

How can it be fixed faster?

Can this even be fixed faster?

If born with this Palsy, would it affect the learning capability of a child, would they grow out of it, or would the become so use to it so they didn’t notice it any longer?

Resources:

Rubin, Micheal. ”Sixth Cranial Nerve Palsy." Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Merck Manual, Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Sept. 2016. <http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/neuro-ophthalmologic-and-cranial-nerve-disorders/sixth-cranial-nerve-palsy>.