Ocular findings in Bell's palsy.
Thirty-three patients with Bell's palsy underwent ophthalmic examination, including Schirmer testing, corneal sensitivity measurement, and electromyography. Sixteen patients returned for follow-up after one year. Sixty-one percent of the patients initially showed punctate fluorescein staining of the inferior cornea. Electromyographic studies demonstrate a high correlation between orbicularis function and the presence of corneal epithelial staining. Our results demonstrate a high frequency of minor corneal involvement in the acute phase of Bell's palsy. Healing of the epithelial defects follows improvement in orbicularis function.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013666:Tears / Q000378:metabolism