Facial paralysis is a neurological disease in which the muscles of facial expression cannot move due to interruption in the nerve impulse that goes from the brain to the face. The condition appears when damage to the facial nerve occurs. This damage may be secondary to an infection, surgical trauma, or a tumor. When the palsy appears without a known cause, it is given the name Bell’s palsy.
Patients with facial paralysis lose the ability to close the eye on the affected side of the face, especially at night. The blinking mechanism is altered during the day as well, causing significant eye irritation, tearing, and blurry vision.
Patients with ocular sequelae from facial palsy require urgent care by an oculoplastic surgeon to prevent irreversible corneal damage.
In this interview, Dr. Gómez shares his expertise in the management of the ocular sequelae due to facial paralysis.
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