# What should I do if I cannot close my eye on the affected side with Bell's palsy?

Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy
Language: en
Category: neurology
Publisher: ClinicsJo
Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.479Z
Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:52.479Z
Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy

If you are experiencing difficulty closing your eye on the side affected by Bell's palsy, it is essential to take immediate action to protect your eye from dryness and potential damage. This occurs due to weakness of the facial nerve that controls facial muscles, including those responsible for closing the eyelid. The inability to fully close the eye can lead to dryness and irritation, which increases the risk of corneal damage.

## Protecting the Eye from Dryness and Irritation

Protecting the affected eye is a top priority to prevent complications. Recommended measures include:

- **Lubricating Eye Drops:** Use lubricating eye drops (artificial tears) regularly throughout the day to keep the eye surface moist and prevent dryness. These drops may be necessary every few hours, up to six times a day [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S5>).

- **Nighttime Eye Ointment:** Before sleeping, apply a moisturizing eye ointment. The ointment provides a longer-lasting protective layer during the night when the eye is more susceptible to dryness due to remaining partially open [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S5>).

- **Taping the Eye Shut:** To help keep the eye closed while sleeping, you can use special medical tape to secure the eyelid in the closed position. Consult your doctor or an ophthalmologist before using medical tape to ensure proper application and avoid any damage to the eye [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S4>).

## When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Although difficulty closing the eye is a common symptom of Bell's palsy, there are certain warning signs that require immediate medical evaluation to distinguish them from more serious conditions or to address dangerous complications. You should seek urgent medical help in the following cases:

- **Eye Pain or Vision Changes:** If you feel any eye pain, discomfort, or notice sudden changes in your vision, you must see a doctor immediately. These could be signs of corneal damage or other issues requiring urgent medical intervention [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S5>).

- **Stroke Symptoms:** If facial weakness or drooping is accompanied by difficulty speaking, inability to lift both arms and keep them raised, or slurred speech, you should call emergency services immediately. These symptoms may be signs of a stroke, which is a medical emergency [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S4>).

- **Worsening Facial Weakness or Other Symptoms:** If facial weakness worsens after the first three days of symptom onset, or if you develop a headache, facial pain, facial swelling, fever, a general feeling of being unwell (malaise), weakness or sensory changes in the arms or legs, or balance problems, you should seek urgent medical care [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S5>).

## The Importance of Medical Follow-up

It is very important to get an accurate diagnosis of Bell's palsy, as treatment is more effective if started early, usually within 72 hours of symptom onset, and often includes steroids [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S4>). Do not rely on home remedies only as a substitute for medical care, as the recovery path varies from person to person. You should schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms to assess improvement [\[5\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S5>). You can learn more about how to manage the condition in our article on [Bell's Palsy: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Full Recovery (Arabic)](<https://clinicsjo.com/ar/articles/bells-palsy-diagnosis-treatment-recovery>). Always inform your doctor of any difficulties in closing your eye, as the medical team may need to monitor the eye condition continuously throughout the recovery period, which may take several months [\[4\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#source-S4>).

## Medical references

- [Bell's palsy - NHS](<https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bells-palsy/>)

- [Bell’s palsy | Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust](<https://www.barnsleyhospital.nhs.uk/services/a-and-e/bells-palsy>)

General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment.

Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-to-do-if-i-cannot-close-my-eye-on-the-affected-side-with-bells-palsy#answer