Chalazion

Cause

Chalazion is caused by blockage of secretary gland of the inner eyelid. As the secretion accumulates, chalazion is formed.

Presentation

It usually presents as an painless eyelid nodule of size 3mm - 5mm. Larger size chalazion may cause discomfort during blinking.

Diagnosis

Experienced doctor can make an immediate diagnosis by clinical examination.

Treatment

• Conservative Treatment
  

  Conservative treatment of chalazion (including local heat therapy and keeping proper eyelid hygiene) have the chance of cure of more than 50%.

  Applying tolerable warm to hot wet clean cloth or tissue paper covering the chalazion can melt the solid lipid secretion at the outlet plugging of the meibomian gland. This would open the gland outlet and allow the content of the meibomian gland to drain out. Patient should apply moderate heat wet cloth or tissue paper and moderate pressure to the chalazion 15 minutes, 2-4 times a day until the chalazion resolve.

  "4 finger 10 times massage" is another method of conservative therapy. After bath or shower, patient warms his or her hands and eyelids with warm water. Rub their hands with a non-eye-irritating baby shampoo until shampoo foam forms. Patient closes his or her eyes and massages the edges of his or her closed eyelids back and forth 10 times with shampoo foam using the index finger. Repeat the process with the middle finger, ring finger and little finger. Finally, wash away the remaining shampoo.

  If the chalazion does not resolve with conservative management. Please seek advice from an experienced doctor.

• Surgery
  In the clinic, experienced surgeon can apply local anesthesia to the eyelid, cut open the chalazion and perform curretage. This surgery takes few minutes to perform. Patient can return to work or school on next day after the surgery. As there are medications being used (e.g. long acting local anesthesia, analgesia, and antibiotic), postoperative pain and complication chance are minimal. The wound usually heals in few day to one week time.