Surgery to try to relieve the pressure on the swollen facial nerve in its bony canal is rarely successful. Eye drops of artificial tears may help prevent this but sometimes more treatment is required to protect the eye. Traditionally, an operation would be performed in which the outer edges of the upper and lower eyelids would be sewn together and re-opened when the facial nerve recovered. Alternatively, now a small dose of a substance known as botulinum can be injected into the muscle of the upper eyelid causing a temporary drooping of the eyelid, thereby protecting the eye. Bell s palsy is not a serious condition but can lead to complications such as irritation of the eye.
Most people get better without any treatment.