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Management of the Eye in the Setting of Facial Nerve Paralysis

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Temporal Bone Cancer

Abstract

Due to incomplete eyelid closure, the eye is acutely at risk in a patient with facial paralysis. Involvement of an ophthalmologist is necessary to appropriately examine the patient, safeguard the eye, and plan subsequent periocular rehabilitation. Early treatment involves lubrication and possibly the placement of a tarsorrhaphy. Rehabilitation may involve improving the position of the eyebrow, upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or midface. Epiphora has a multitude of potential causes in the patient with a facial paralysis including reflex tearing, eyelid malposition, and a defective lacrimal pump. Patients with a coexisting trigeminal nerve palsy or neurotrophic cornea are at a heightened risk of ocular morbidity and must be treated as so. The purpose of this chapter is to review the evaluation and management of the ocular concerns in a patient with facial nerve paralysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Richard C. Allen M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.

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  1. Richard C. Allen M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.
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Correspondence to Richard C. Allen M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Otology-Neurotology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Paul W. Gidley

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Franco DeMonte

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Allen, R.C. (2018). Management of the Eye in the Setting of Facial Nerve Paralysis. In: Gidley, P., DeMonte, F. (eds) Temporal Bone Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74539-8_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74539-8_26

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