What's the difference between strabismus & cranial nerve palsies that effect the eyes? can cranial nerve palsies cause strabismus?

Different patterns: Strabismus is the generic term for eye misalignment of any cause. If from childhood, the eyes are separated about the same in all positions. If from cranial palsy, the degree of separation goes from normal away from the action of the muscles, to a very wide difference in the direction of the action of that muscle. An ophthalmologist can usually readily make this distinction.