Gold Weight Implants for Facial Paralysis

The facial nerves help the muscles of the face to close the eyes as well as facilitate facial expressions. If this nerve becomes paralyzed due to injury or brain surgery, the eye cannot be completely closed (Figure 1 & 2). Besides being a cosmetic disfigurement, this also poses a threat to the cornea, and can reduce the patient's vision.

Now this defect can be corrected by placing a small specially designed gold weight within the patient's upper eyelid. The weight is fixed to the eyelid structures below the skin and is not visible. A trial set (Figure 3) is used to determine the appropriate weight for each individual before performing the actual surgery to achieve the best results. Once surgery is over the weight acts by gravity, closing the eyelid during relaxation (Figure 4). This not only protects the cornea but also makes the face appear normal.

This eyelid gold weight implantation procedure has been operational in L V Prasad Eye Institute since November 2003; we have treated over 15 patients successfully till date.