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Pediatrics: Cranial Nerve Examination Essay

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Oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), Abducens (VI) cranial nerves Although each of these nerves control separate extraocular muscles, they are normally examined together due to their close functional interrelationships. • Look Similar to other cranial nerve examination, start with inspection of the eyes. Look at - The position of the head position: If diplopia is present, the head turned or tilted to minimize double vision. - Inspect for ptosis and eye position. - Ask the child to look at an object about five feet away. Examine the pupils for size, shape, and symmetry. Oculomotor nerve palsy causes mydriasis. Sympathetic palsy leads to miosis. Ciliary ganglion malfunction within the orbit produces Adie’s pupil with middilated pupils …show more content…

For testing the left eye, cover the child’s right eye and repeat the procedure. Absence of movement of either the right or left eye means the child does not have manifest strabismus. If the deviating eye moves inward after the other eye is covered, the child has exotropia. On the other hand, if the deviating eye moves outward, esotropia said to be present. o Alternating cover test: As before, ask the child to concentrate on an object that is ten feet away. Cover the child’s left eye with an opaque sheet for one to two seconds and then move quickly to the right eye. Hold the occluder in place for one to two seconds and repeat the cycle at least 3 times. As you unveil, observe the eye that is being uncovered to detect a refixation movement. Absence of movement means the child does not have latent strabismus. If the deviating eye moves inward after the other eye is covered, the child has exotropia. On the other hand, if the deviating eye moves outward, esotropia said to be present. • Ocular Movements - Spontaneous: Spontaneous movements of the eyes can be nystagmus or ocular bobbing. o Nystagmus is an involuntary rhythmic oscillation of the eyes in any direction (horizontal, vertical or rotatory) and is characterised by a slow initiating phase and a quick corrective phase. The direction of nystagmus is defined by the direction of its quick corrective phase. To assess the nystagmus, ask the child to follow the fingertip held about one foot

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