Recovery outcomes for ocular cranial nerve palsies
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe

The aim of this study was to report the different causes and recovery patterns for patients with acquired and isolated ocular cranial nerve palsies in a prospective observation study of 80 consecutive patients in a single centre. There were 40 males and 40 females with median age of 47 years (range 14–76). Average duration of symptoms was 10 days. Microvascular comorbidities were documented for 41% and 55 patients had sixth nerve palsy, 18 with third and seven with fourth nerve palsy. Four were younger than 18 years and all had sixth nerve palsy. Sixty-six had unilateral palsies. Aetiologies included ischemia, idiopathic, trauma, compression and iatrogenic (in that order of frequency). Complete recovery occurred for 43 cases by three months follow-up and 69 by six months (27 ischemic, 20 idiopathic, 11 trauma and 11 compression). All cases had some recovery. There was no significant difference in recovery for unilateral vs bilateral cases or for pupil involved third nerve palsy. Sixth nerve palsies had significantly increased recovery rates and recovery from ischemic or idiopathic causes was greater than from trauma or compression. Better recovery was also significant associated with lower baseline angle of deviation measurements.

Clinical spectrum and its association with recovery patterns in patients with acquired isolated ocular motor nerve palsies – an observational study.
Agarwal D, Kasturi N, Kaliaperumal S.
STRABISMUS
2024;32(3):210–6.