Sixth nerve palsy results from dysfunction or damage of your sixth cranial nerve, also known as the abducens nerve. This causes problems with eye movement. The sixth cranial nerve sends signals to your lateral rectus muscle.This is a small muscle that attaches to the outer side of your eye.ixth nerve palsy may affect one or both eyes, depending on its cause. The most common symptom of sixth nerve palsy is double vision when both eyes are open. This is more common when looking far away or when looking in the direction of the affected eye.