For those who have suffered from Bell’s Palsy before, it is not easy to forget. This disorder affects a nerve in the face, known as the seventh cranial nerve. It affects approximately forty thousand people in this country each year. The temporary paralysis that results can mimic the effects of stroke, though Bell’s Palsy is far less serious. The exact cause of the disease is not entirely known, though it is believed that herpes zoster, the same condition that causes chicken pox, is linked to it. There are some individuals who are at substantially higher risk of being diagnosed with this disorder, including those infected with HIV, Lyme disease, or Sarcoidosis.
There are few warning signs before the condition’s onset, though many patients report signs of a cold a few days before the main symptoms of Bell’s Palsy set in. In the majority of cases, the telltale signs of the disorder present suddenly, though some patients do find that they slowly progress over two or three days’ time. Generally, the notable paralysis occurs on just one side of the face and can be mild or very severe. Included on the list of reported changes are difficulty eating or drinking due to lack of mouth control, drooling, drooping of the face, difficulty closing one eye, problems showing expression, and twitching of the facial muscles.
A mere physical exam by the same doctors that act as cataract surgeons can result in a diagnosis of the disease, but it is always recommended that people with facial paralysis get immediate medical attention, as this is also a sign of stroke. Other possible causes of limit facial movement include brain tumors, so many patients will undergo CT scans or MRIs of the head before a definitive diagnosis is given.
The good news is that there is no need for treatment. The symptoms will improve on their own. In most cases, the condition will run its course within a couple of weeks. In less common instances, the symptoms could present for months. There are some medications that can be prescribed to help cut the swelling and to treat the virus, but their effectiveness is debated.
How Does Bell’s Palsy Affect Eye Health? It might not make immediate sense why an opthamologist would be involved in a diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy, but at a closer glance, the reason is obvious. Though the nerve affected is not the same one that is used to open the eye, the seventh cranial nerve does affect one’s ability to close it. Therefore, Bell’s Palsy patients will have great difficulty shutting the eye on the affected side of the face. When a person blinks, the eye is nourished and moisturized as tears are spread around the surface and then drained away as the eye reopens. When this process cannot take place, there is real danger of extreme dry eye. In fact, in some severe cases, the eyelid will flip outward during a bout of Bell’s Palsy, further increasing the risk of dry eye.
This resulting condition can be very uncomfortable and make a person feel as if there is sand in his or her eye. The scratchy sensation is often accompanied by a burning feeling. In an effort to correct the problem, the eye will often produce an excess of tears, causing it to run endlessly, especially when the eyelid cannot be used to push the tears to the drainage ducts.
Fortunately, a specialist in corneal transplant Austin can assist with this symptom of Bell’s Palsy. The good news is that there is no reason to think that the eye will remain this way permanently. Bell’s Palsy is only temporary. In the meantime, an eye doctor (the same professionals that provide cataract surgery Austin) can prescribe topical ointments and drops to help moisturize the eye and alleviate the discomfort associated with dry eye. Furthermore, recommendations may be made to protect the eye from the surrounding environment, including the regular use of tinted glasses until the condition improves and avoiding the use of fans, personal heaters, and air conditioning that may blow air directly at the eye.
Broberge Eye Care
4207 James Casey Street
Austin, TX 78745-1193
(512) 447-6096
