aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Causes of a lateral rectus paresis include:

  • VI nerve - abducens - palsy
  • internuclear ophthalmoplegia, i.e. lesion in the brainstem

Sixth nerve palsy and internuclear ophthalmoplegia can be distinguished; the limit of abduction is the same with monocular or binocular vision with a VI nerve palsy, whilst the eye will abduct a little further on monocular testing with an internuclear ophthalmoplegia.