Abstract :
Introduction: Bell's Palsy accounts for around three-quarters of all cases of unilateral acute facial weakness which is diagnosed after excluding other causes of isolated facial weakness. They often cause ocular morbidity which is annoying to the patient even though it spontaneously resolves within few months. Bell’s Palsy is usually reported by otorhinologists and very less is written from ophthalmological point of view.
Objectives: To describe the ocular manifestations, complications and prognosis of Bell’s Palsy in different age group.
Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of data collected of all the patients with Bell’s Palsy attending the ophthalmology department from 2015 to 2016. Their demographic data along with time interval between onset of symptoms and presentations, visual acuity, signs, complications are all recorded of the first visit and subsequent follow up until complete recovery.
Conclusion: Bell’s Palsy is commonly seen in young adult females. They often present within few days of onset of symptoms. Complete recovery occurs within six months though the recovery rate is faster in younger individuals. Vision threatening complications are rare.
Keyword :
Bell’s Palsy, Facial Palsy, Lagophthalmos.