CATEGORY: Health
Bell's palsy: what is the link with the eyes?
This disease is a common problem that affects one half of the face from the forehead down. This also affects the health of the eyes.
It is a paralysis of the facial nerve due to swelling that causes this condition. It can appear quickly and affects both men and women, mostly between 20 and 40 years old.
Symptoms
- Difficulty closing one eye
- Speech impasto
- Falling corner of mouth
- Inability to whistle
- Forehead without wrinkle
- Person who drools while drinking
Is it a permanent condition?
Generally speaking, it takes about six weeks to fully recover. It takes three weeks to reach the maximum intensity of symptoms. It then takes another three weeks for full recovery.
In some severe cases, recovery can take up to six months. The longer a recovery takes, the more likely it is to be incomplete.
Generally, there are very few permanent sequelae. On the other hand, people aged 60 and over have a higher risk of sequelae.
A person with an incomplete recovery sometimes shows dramatic changes in their facial features.
What are the causes of this paralysis?
Often the exact cause remains unknown.
The various known causes that can lead to Bell's palsy are as follows:
- Herpes simplex infection
- Viral and/or bacterial infections
- Shingles
- Lyme disease
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Fever
- Dental surgery
- Exposure to extreme cold
- Menstruation
What effects on the eyes?
Normally, you have to blink to spread the tears all over the eye and reduce their evaporation.
A person with Bell's palsy cannot blink on the affected side. This causes the cornea to dry out, which can lead to eye discomfort (red and/or irritated eye) to more serious damage.
If left untreated, it can lead to corneal scarring, secondary infections, and even loss of vision.
How to treat the eye effects related to Bell's palsy?
Since the goal is to keep the cornea moist, eye drops are often prescribed during the day and ointments at bedtime.
Sometimes, we will advise an eye patch or an adhesive tape to close the eye during the night for better relief and better protection.
In more severe cases of dryness, a few non-permanent surgeries are sometimes possible.