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Third Nerve Palsy

Fig. 1

What is a third nerve palsy?

The third cranial nerve controls movement of four eye muscles that move the eye in, up, down and torsion. The third cranial nerve also controls constriction of the pupil, the eyelid and the ability of the eye to “focus” or accommodate and upper eyelid position. A complete third nerve palsy  causes a totally closed eyelid and a down and out deviation of the eye. The eye cannot move in or up and the pupil is typically enlarged and does not react normally to light. A partial third nerve palsy affects to varying degrees any of the functions controlled by the third cranial nerve.

What are the symptoms of third nerve palsy?

People over 10 years of age with third nerve palsy.usually have double vision due to misalignment of the eyes. If a droopy eyelid (ptosis) covers the pupil, diplopia may not be noticeable.   Ptosis of the eyelid or an enlarged pupil may be the first  sign of a third nerve palsy Young children usually do not complain of double vision. Figure 1 demonstrates the droopy eyelid. Figure 2 demonstrates outward position of the eye underneath the droopy eyelid signifying the palsy.

Fig. 2

What causes third nerve palsy?

A third nerve palsy may be present at birth, and the exact cause may not be clear.  Acquired third nerve palsy can be associated with head injury, infection, migraine, brain tumor, aneurysm, diabetes and high blood pressure.

 What problems develop in children with third nerve palsy?

 Children may develop amblyopia in the involved eye. Amblyopia can often be treated  by patching the unaffected eye. Patching may be necessary for several years, sometimes until age 9 years. Children with severe third nerve palsy often do not have binocular vision (simultaneous perception with both eyes), and stereopsis (three dimensional vision) is often absent. An abnormal head posture may allow binoculoar vision. Partial palsy is often associated with the development of binocular vision.

What can be done to correct third nerve palsy?

Unfortunately, there is no treatment to re-establish function of the weak nerve other than the body’s own healing. Relief of pressure on the third nerve from a tumor or blood vessel (aneurysm) with surgery may improve third nerve palsy.

The ophthalmologist will usually wait at least 6 months after onset for possible spontaneous improvement. During this observation period,  patching one eye can alleviate double vision. Prism spectacles may relieve diplopia for some. If the palsy is present after 6 months, eye muscle surgery can be performed to  realign the eyesin straight ahead gaze. The more severe the third nerve palsy, the more difficult it is to re-establish eye movements and an area of single binocular vision, The remaining diplopia can be quite bothersome. Surgery can be performed to raise the eyelid in selected cases.