Cranial mononeuropathy VI is a nerve disorder that causes people to see two of the same image (double vision).

Abducens palsy; Lateral rectus palsy

Cranial mononeuropathy VI is damage to the sixth cranial (skull) nerve. This nerve, also called the abducens nerve, helps control eye movement.

Disorders of this nerve can occur with:

• Brain aneurysms
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Increased pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure)
• Infections (such as meningitis or sinusitis)
• Tissue damage from loss of blood flow (infarction)
• Trauma (caused by head injury or accidentally during surgery)
• Tumors

In some people, there is no obvious cause.

Because there are common nerve pathways through the skull, the disorder may affect other cranial nerves (such as the third or fourth cranial nerve).