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Eye Exercises for Treatment of Idiopathic Cranial Nerve VII Paresis: Pilot Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Sylvia L. Rodriguez ,
Wilma M. Hopman  and
Martin W. ten Hove
Sylvia L. Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Wilma M. Hopman
Affiliation:
Hotel Dieu Hospital, Clinical Research Centre, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Martin W. ten Hove*
Affiliation:
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
*
Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University/Hotel Dieu Hospital, 166 Brock Street, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5G2, Canada.
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Abstract

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Background:

To determine if fine-motor eye exercises can be used for treatment of unilateral, idiopathic cranial nerve VII paresis to improve rate of recovery.

Methods:

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, eligible patients were randomized to perform fine-motor eye exercises (n=18) or to do no exercise (n=9) for a period of four weeks. Orbicularis oculi muscle strength was measured in paretic and unaffected eyes at baseline, two weeks and four weeks using an Orbicularis Oculi Pressure Sensor.

Results:

The average initial strength of the paretic orbicularis oculi muscle was 34±10 mm Hg compared to the unaffected muscle which was 103±17 mm Hg at baseline (n=27). By four weeks, patients who performed eye exercises improved more than those who did not (74.4 versus 47.4 mm Hg, p=0.029). While there was some loss to follow-up, 63.8% of patients performing exercises (7/11) achieved functional recovery at four weeks compared to 12.5% (1/8) of those who did not (p=0.059). Steroids and antivirals were found to have independent positive effects on improving functional outcome.

Conclusions:

Eye exercises have a potential role in the treatment of idiopathic cranial nerve VII paresis and warrant consideration in the management of these patients.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 39 , Issue 2 , March 2012 , pp. 196 - 201
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2012

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