Bell's palsy occurs when the nerves in the face are damaged resulting in facial paralysis on one side of the face. People with Bell's palsy have a slightly droopy expression, a one-sided smile and an eye that resists closing. While the exact cause varies, the herpes simplex virus is most commonly associated with the condition. Bell's palsy primarily affects people younger than 15 or older than 60, according to MayoClinic.com. Complications are rare, but some people experience future complications long after they have healed.
Blindness
A serious future complication associated with Bell's palsy is blindness, according to MayoClinic.com. People with Bell's palsy may experience partial or complete blindness when the paralyzed eye becomes severely dry from staying open for long periods of time. The American Academy of Otolaryngology states that blindness can also occur when debris scratches, damages or erodes the cornea or the clear protective covering that surrounds the eye. Treatment generally consists of eye drops, eye ointments and eye patches. In some cases, surgery is needed to restore eyesight.
Facial Spasms
People with Bell's palsy may have facial spasms or weakness as a future complication. The facial spasms may include an occasional twitch of the face or lip or more severe facial weakness or paralysis. Most people will continue to experience mild twitches that do not interfere with daily routines, but a small percentage may experience significant facial dysfunction that interferes with their daily life. The University of Maryland Medical Centers estimates that approximately 4 percent of people with Bell palsy's continue to experience chronic facial weakness and spasms that interfere with daily functioning. Treatment generally consists of corticosteroids such as predisone or surgery to reduce the pressure on the facial muscles and hasten nerve recovery.
Nerve Fiber Regrowth
A future complication of Bell's palsy is misdirected nerve fiber regrowth, according to MayoClinic.com. Nerve fiber regrowth occurs when nerve fibers begin to regrow in the wrong direction causing an involuntary contraction of the facial muscles responsible for movement, smiling and blinking. When damaged nerve fibers regrow they can impair the muscles in the eye causing it to involuntarily close when a person smiles. Treatment may consist of corticosteroids such as predisone, surgery and/or physical therapy.
