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Facial Palsy (Bell's Palsy): Recovery, Eye Protection and Facial Exercises
What to do with sudden facial weakness: Bell's palsy versus stroke, eye protection, facial muscle exercises and how physiotherapy supports recovery.
Noticing one side of your face drooping, being unable to close your eye or seeing your mouth pull to one side is frightening. A common cause is Bell's palsy, a sudden dysfunction of the facial nerve. Most people improve markedly within weeks to months, and correct care and exercises support recovery.
Rule out stroke first
| Feature | Bell's palsy | Stroke |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead | Usually affected (cannot raise eyebrow) | Usually spared |
| Eye closure | Weak on affected side | Usually possible |
| Arm/leg weakness | Absent | Often present |
| Speech | Usually normal | May be affected |
If facial drooping comes with limb weakness, speech problems, dizziness or vision loss, or you are unsure, call 112 immediately. A doctor must make the diagnosis.
Symptoms
Sudden one-sided facial weakness, inability to close the eye or raise the eyebrow, drooping mouth corner and leaking food or drink, taste changes, pain behind the ear, sensitivity to sound, dry or watery eye.
Doctors often start steroids within the first 72 hours, so seek help early.
Eye protection
- Use prescribed artificial tears frequently.
- Apply eye ointment at night and tape the eye shut if advised.
- Wear glasses outdoors against wind and dust.
- See an eye doctor for redness, pain or blurred vision.
Facial exercises
Do them in front of a mirror, slowly and with control; aim for symmetrical, correct movement, not force; avoid overworking the healthy side.
| Exercise | How |
|---|---|
| Eyebrow raise | Lift gently and hold |
| Eye closure | Close softly without squeezing |
| Nose wrinkle | Wrinkle gently |
| Smile | Lips closed, then showing teeth |
| Pucker | Push lips forward as if kissing |
| Cheek puff | Hold air and puff the cheeks |
Several times a day, 5–10 repetitions. Massage and warmth may be added. The value of intensive electrical stimulation is debated; a specialist should decide.
Eating: place food on the healthy side, small bites, clear food from the affected cheek, sip slowly.
Changes in appearance can affect confidence; knowing that improvement often starts within weeks, and seeking support if needed, helps.
We provide home facial rehabilitation and eye-care education across Yalova, with sessions in Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli–Gebze.
