Eyelid Gold Plate Treatment for Facial Paralysis

Facial Paralysis and Eyelid Problems

Facial paralysis is a condition that occurs as a result of damage to the facial nerve, which controls the facial muscles. It can occur after brain surgeries and traumas. The facial nerve is the main nerve that controls the facial muscles (such as closing the eyes, laughing, whistling, and pursing the lips). Each facial muscle is controlled by very thin branches of the facial nerve. Damage to this nerve causes problems such as the eyelid not closing, the forehead not wrinkling, the eyebrow not raising, the corner of the mouth falling, and facial asymmetry. Among these problems, “The eyelid remaining open or not closing completely” requires more urgent action than the others.

The involuntary opening of the eyelid can quickly lead to dry eyes, eye infections, and vision loss. This problem can also cause serious complications, such as corneal ulcers, due to the incomplete closure of the eye surface. If left untreated, serious eye health problems that can rapidly progress to vision loss can occur.

What is Eyelid Gold Plate Treatment and How Does It Work?

Eyelid gold plate treatment is a surgical method used to support the closing function of the eyelid.. When the muscles that close the eyelid become ineffective due to facial nerve paralysis, these special plates allow the eyelid to close with the help of gravity. Since the muscle groups that open the eyelid are controlled by a nerve other than the facial nerve (oculomotor nerve), patients do not have any problems opening their eyelids. Since gold is a biocompatible and heavy material, it helps protect the eye, even in patients with no muscle strength. The plates come in different weights and are selected according to the patient’s needs.

Eyelid gold plate treatment is a surgical procedure to eliminate eyelid closure problems due to facial paralysis. In this method, a gold plate of a certain weight is placed inside the upper eyelid, which is closed by gravity. By selecting the appropriate weight, patients do not have any problems opening their eyelids. Since gold is a biocompatible material, it is well tolerated by the body and does not cause any complications or reactions in the long term. However, the gold plates used are designed to fit the eyelid and must be pure gold.

How is Eyelid Gold Plate Treatment Applied?

Eyelid gold plate treatment is performed under local anesthesia by a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery specialist. The surgical process usually includes the following steps:

1. Patient Evaluation: First, the patient’s eyelid movements and eye dryness are analyzed in detail. The most appropriate gold plate weight is determined by evaluating the eyelid’s ability to close and muscle strength.
2. Gold Plate Selection: Gold plates can be of different weights, and the most appropriate size is selected according to the patient’s needs. The selection and rehearsal of eyelid movements should be done in a period before the procedure. This way, the eyelid can make a natural opening and closing movement.
3. Surgical Application: During the surgical procedure, local anesthesia is applied to the upper eyelid. An incision is made in the skin fold. The selected gold plate is placed at the appropriate depth. The plate is carefully fixed and the incision is closed by stitching.
4. Duration of Surgery: The procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes and the patient can be discharged on the same day.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Gold Plate Treatment

Advantages:

• Protects eye health. Reduces eye dryness and risk of infection by ensuring complete closure of the eyelid.
• Provides a natural look. Thanks to the correctly selected plate size and placement, eye aesthetics are not compromised.
• It offers a long-term solution. Since the gold plate is biocompatible, it functions for a long time without causing any problems.
• It requires minimal surgical intervention. The procedure, performed under local anesthesia, is short and allows the patient to return to their daily life quickly.

Disadvantages:

• Plaque can feel heavy on the eye. Initially, patients may feel a slight heaviness on their eyelids.
• Skin redness and swelling may be observed after the operation.
• Plaque may become partially visible through the skin over time.

Things to Consider After Treatment and the Recovery Process

• There may be swelling, bruising and tenderness in the eyelid for the first few days after surgery. Ice application recommended by the doctor can relieve these symptoms.
• Eye drops should be used regularly to prevent eye dryness.
• Heavy physical activity and eyelid strain should be avoided in the first weeks.
• If excessive redness, pain, or inflammation, which are signs of infection, occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
• Postoperative check-ups should not be neglected and regular follow-ups should be made to see if the plate placement is correct.

An Effective Treatment Method for Facial Paralysis

Eyelid gold plate treatment is a safe and permanent method used to effectively solve eye closure problems due to facial paralysis. This treatment, which protects eye health and increases the life quality of patients, makes a big difference especially in cases of permanent facial paralysis. If you have difficulty closing your eyelid due to facial paralysis, you can consult us for detailed information about this method.