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Facial Paralysis, Eyelid Paralysis & Bell’s Palsy

What is Facial Paralysis?

Facial paralysis has many causes including prior surgery, tumors, trauma, infection, and inflammatory conditions. When no known etiology is found, it is labeled Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is a temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis of the facial nerve (7th nerve). The facial nerve innervates the facial muscles, which are responsible for various facial movements including eyelid closure and blinking, smiling, raising brows, frowning, among others. If the facial nerve is affected, then one is unable to close the eyelids (lagophthalmos) and the lower eyelid turns out (ectropion) unable to pump the tears normally resulting in tearing and eye redness and significant irritation (exposure keratopathy).

Treatment For Facial Paralysis

The most important treatment is frequent and aggressive ocular lubrication to protect the eye since the eyelids cannot close. The eyelids should be taped at night. Punctal plugs can also be used to reduce tear drainage. Eyelid surgeon Dr. Taban in Santa Barbara has written a textbook chapter entitled “Periocular rehabilitation in facial nerve palsy”, discussing various eye treatment options and techniques for facial paralysis.

Surgical Options For Facial Paralysis

Due to the many different options of reconstructive eye treatment for the various types of causes for face paralysis, it’s important to speak with a board certified ocular plastic surgeon in Los Angeles in order to learn more about which eye treatment option may be best for you and your specific needs.

Upper Eyelid Gold Weight

A small gold plate can be inserted in the top eye crease to increase its weight and assist it in closing and blinking.

Upper Eyelid Hyaluronic Gel Injection

Temporary fillers (Restylane, Juvederm) can be injected into the upper eye to increase the weight of the upper eye fold and assist in closing and blinking.

Read Article Published by Los Angeles’ Dr. Taban about Eyelid Facial Paralysis

Read Article Published by Los Angeles’ Dr. Taban about Upper Eyelid HA Fillers

Tarsorrhaphy

Tarsorrhaphy is a temporary or permanent procedure that “pinches” the lateral corner of the eye, thereby making the eye smaller and allowing better closure of the eye.

Brow droopiness

The brow is paralytic and cannot be raised causing heavy top eyelid and inability to see properly. The brow can be lifted via various techniques (see section on brow lift).

Lower Eyelid Ectropion

A paralytic lower eyelid rolls out, causing eye irritation and tearing. Surgery treatment can be performed to tighten the area.

For more information on treatment for Facial Paralysis please visit WebMD.com.

Next read about congenital/pediatric oculoplastics.

Before & After Photos

*See disclaimer below
Before (left) and 6 weeks after (right) left paralytic brow lift (note scar is healing well).
Before (left) and after (right photo) of right upper eyelid gold weight placement. Note the right eye closes completely after the procedure.
Photos, with eye open and closed, showing that the left upper eyelid gold weight is hidden nicely.
68 year old female, with paralytic left lagophthalmos (unable to close left eye) from left eyelid facial palsy, underwent left upper eyelid gold weight and left lower eyelid ectropion repair with skin graft. Before and 3 months after eyelid surgery photos are shown.
Before (left) 70+ year old male with left facial/eyelid paralysis from Bells palsy with paralytic left lower eyelid ectropion. After (right) underwent left lower eyelid ectropion surgery with skin graft.
*Disclaimer: Results vary from patient to patient. Results are not guaranteed.
Words cannot explain how much my life has changed since the life changing procedure/surgery. I had orbital decompression, lower eyelid retraction, and orbital rim tear trough implants…I’ve spent a great deal of time doing extensive research into this surgical procedure…After the consultation with Dr. Taban, I finally felt I found someone who I trusted … He exceeded my expectations with the outcome of the procedure…We only get one pair of eyes and I trusted Dr. Taban with my procedure and the results have changed my life physically and emotionally. Thank you, Dr.Taban.
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Sandra S.

August 2017 Read More Reviews
Dr. Taban performed bilateral orbital decompression for my TED in August, 2016. It’s been more than 6 months since the surgery and my eyes have completely recovered and the scars from incisions were barely visible. I can say with confidence that he is THE best and the go-to doctor for this type of surgery. I was an out of town patient (thousands of miles away) … Dr. Taban is extremely talented, yet so humble … I can’t express my thankfulness enough to Dr. Taban and his staff … He is a gifted doctor …

Charleen Tran

March 2017 Read More Reviews
Dr. Taban is a miracle doctor. I am 18 years old and had Graves Disease since my early teens. I saw him on The Doctors Show … He made me feel so comfortable (at consultation) … It has been two months since my surgery and the results are better than I expected. … my results seem unreal because I still can’t believe how the results turned out. Dr. Taban is such a humble person … I never thought I could get my eyes back but because of him I did. Dr. Taban really changed my life and I’ll be grateful forever.
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LilitApikyan

May 2017 Read More Reviews
Dr. Taban has been an amazing and one of a kind doctor. I suffered from graves disease and did extensive research trying to find a good doctor for my orbital decompression surgery… Dr. Taban really cares for his patients, before the surgery he makes you feel at ease and calm reassuring you that you’re in great hands… I’ve never had a doctor who shows you how much they care for your well being than doctor Taban… As to my results, I could not be any happier. My eyes look great, I feel like a whole new person and so many people have complimented my awesome results. I cannot thank doctor Taban enough. He works miracles …

Ernesto Aldava

October 2017 Read More Reviews
 

Dr. Taban & Orbital Decompression Surgery Changed My Life! – When I first noticed my eyes changing because of my Graves Eye Disease (or Thyroid Eye Disease), I was so depressed. …

… Dr. Taban is incredibly professional and a bit of a savant in his field. He has the unique balance of compassion and professionalism, …Thank you for giving me my confidence back Dr. Taban!

 
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fdelrio

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I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease in 2007 … I had 2 other surgeons prior to meeting Dr. Taban…. Dr. Taban did the orbital decompression on both of my eyes in 2010 and my eyelids retraction in 2011. … He made me look normal again. … I’m very grateful to Dr. Taban. He brought back my self-confidence.
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Amabelle A.

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