Uncontrollable eye movements & closures after Bell's Palsy - how can I fix this?

Question

After Bell’s palsy my left eye moves uncontrollably and closes when I drink through a straw or yawn. How can I fix this?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing these issues following Bell's palsy. It sounds like you might be dealing with synkinesis, a condition where involuntary muscle movements occur due to miswiring during nerve recovery after Bell's palsy. This can cause the kind of symptoms you're describing, such as your eye closing when you perform other facial movements like drinking through a straw or yawning.

There are several treatment options to consider:

Physical Therapy: Specialized facial exercises can help retrain your muscles and improve coordination. A physical therapist with experience in facial nerve disorders can be very beneficial.

Botox Injections: Botox can be used to weaken the muscles that are contracting involuntarily, which can help reduce the unwanted movements. This treatment is temporary and would need to be repeated every few months.

Medications: In some cases, medications that help with muscle relaxation or nerve pain might be prescribed.

Surgical Options: In more severe cases, surgical interventions might be considered to improve facial symmetry and function.

It's important to consult with a neurologist or a facial nerve specialist to discuss these options and determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

Dear Cute33321, thank you for your question!

What you're describing sounds like synkinesis, a common after-effect of Bell's palsy where nerves regrow abnormally, causing involuntary movements—like your eye closing when you drink or yawn.

Treatment options have to be tailored to the needs of each patient, however common modalities include physical therapy and Botox. Surgery can be done in severe cases, usually resecting some of the compromised nerves (selective neurectomy) or taking out strips of the muscle that mover abnormally (myectomy).

Seek a specialist in facial nerve disorders (usually a plastic surgeon or ENT with facial palsy experience) to explore these options.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you are having after Bell's Palsy.  I encourage you to begin by speaking with a neurologist who can evaluate your concerns.  Botox injections may help to lessen the muscle movement caused by the contractions that you described.

Uncontrollable eye movements & closures after Bell's Palsy - how can I fix this?

Answers (3)

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