How can diabetes damage to the cranial nerves affect me?

Cranial nerves go to the eye muscles.

Damage to these nerves usually happens in one eye. The damaged eye does not move together with the healthy one, and you can have double vision. This problem happens all of a sudden and usually lasts for a short time. Your doctor might ask you to wear an eye patch on one eye for a while.

Cranial nerves go to the side of the face.

Damage to these nerves usually happens to only one side of the face. This nerve damage causes that side of the face to hang lower or sag. Usually the lower eyelid and lips sag. This problem is called Bell's palsy. It happens all of a sudden and tends to correct itself.


Cranial nerves go from your brain to your eyes, mouth, ears, and other parts of your head.