Lazy eye-lid/smaller eye - residuals from bell's palsy

[Jonathon003]

So I had Bell's Palsy about a year and 3 months ago (Feb 2008).  Well, I'm fairly certain that I'm done the healing process and this is what I'm stuck with for life.  My problem, which frustrates me more and more it seems, is my BP eye is smaller than my regular eye.  What I mean is the upper lid hangs down slightly lower than the other upper lid (which happens to get more and more lazy and noticable depending on how tired I am).  Also my lower lid comes up higher on my BP eye as well.  So the end result is my BP eye looking very noticable smaller than my other 'healthy' eye.  So my problem is *mostly* cosmetic, however when I'm tired my lid indeed comes down far enough for me to notice it and I do get less vision from that eye.

Anyway I'm wondering if there's any way of correcting these issues?  Maybe even a reason as to why my upper lid seems lazy after BP; does it have something to do with the muscle not ever regaining proper strength in my eye lid?  Anyway I really hope there's a solid solution to this, as it seems like a petty thing, but it really annoys me and has made me more self-conscious than I already was (which was already at a high level).  Hope someone has some info on it, thanks.

[sitayashoda]

A related discussion, Bell's palsy eye was started.

[ricepud7]

I have been suffering with Bells Palsy for over four months and my optomologist has recommended a surgery involving inserting a sliver of gold into my eyelid to help control the opening and closing of the eye. Do you have any advise on this sort of surgery and should I consider waiting a bit longer to see if I improve?

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Jonathon003,

I would recommend that you seek the care of an oculoplastic surgeon to determine whether or not it can be corrected.  It is likely that you have not fully recovered the normal strength and innervation following the Bell’s palsy.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The seventh cranial nerve on that side is still a little weak it sounds and it causes you to have some decreased facial muscle strength, especially the obicularis muscles - causing the decreased blink strength and smaller looking eye opening.  You can get a consultation with a ophthalmologist that specializes in oculoplastics or ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery.  They should be able to fill you in on what can and can't be done.  You may still some improvement on your own, as well.

Michael Kutryb, MD