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Living with Familial congenital palsy of trochlear nerve

An inherited weakness of the fourth cranial nerve, present at birth, which controls an eye muscle.

Understanding Familial congenital palsy of trochlear nerve

Familial congenital palsy of the trochlear nerve is an inherited weakness of the fourth cranial nerve, present at birth.

GARD describes it as fourth cranial nerve palsy caused by an inherited gene change. It is seen in newborns.

Signs & symptoms

GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet.

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
How does this nerve weakness affect eye movement or vision?
Which eye specialist should follow this condition?
Could other family members be affected?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startNewborn
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

Changes in genes cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, which means a change in one copy of the gene can cause it. GARD does not name the gene.

Genetic

Also known as: hereditary fourth cranial nerve palsy; strabismus from superior oblique palsy; superior oblique oculomotor palsy, familial congenital; trochlear nerve palsy, familial congenital

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Familial congenital palsy of trochlear nerveGARD ID 10355 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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