Chalazion
Chalazion | |
---|---|
Other names |
|
Eyelid affected by a chalazion | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Ophthalmology, optometry |
Symptoms | Red, non painful cyst in middle of the eyelid[2] |
Usual onset | Gradually over a few weeks[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Stye, cellulitis[2] |
Treatment | Warm compresses, steroid injection, surgery[2] |
Frequency | Unknown[3] |
A chalazion (/kəˈleɪziən/; plural chalazia or chalazions) or meibomian cyst[4] is not a cyst but a granuloma[5] in the eyelid that results from a blocked meibomian gland.[6][7] It typically occurs in the middle of the eyelid, red, and not painful.[2] They tend to come on gradually over a few weeks.[2]
A chalazion may occur following a stye or from hardened oils blocking the gland.[2] The blocked gland is usually the meibomian gland, but can also be the gland of Zeis.[8]
A stye and cellulitis may appear similar.[2] A stye, however, is usually more sudden in onset, painful, and occurs at the edge of the eyelid.[2] Cellulitis is also typically painful.[2]
Treatment is initiated with warm compresses.[2] In addition, antibiotic/corticosteroid eyedrops or ointment may be used. If this is not effective, injecting corticosteroids into the lesion may be tried.[2] If large, incision and drainage may be recommended.[2] While relatively common, the frequency of the condition is unknown.[3] It is most common in people 30–50 years of age, and equally common in males and females.[9] The term is from the Greek khalazion (χαλάζιον) meaning "small hailstone".[10]
Signs and symptoms
- Painless swelling on the eyelid
- Eyelid tenderness typically none-to-mild
- Increased tearing
- Heaviness of the eyelid
- Redness of conjunctiva
Complications
A large chalazion can cause
As
Complications of corticosteroid injection include hypopigmentation and fat atrophy which is less likely to occur in conjunctival approach of injection.[4]
A chalazion that reoccurs in the same area may rarely be a symptom of sebaceous carcinoma.[citation needed]
Diagnosis
A chalazion or meibomian cyst can sometimes be mistaken for a stye.
Differential diagnosis
- Sebaceous gland adenoma
- Sebaceous gland carcinoma
- Sarcoid granuloma
- Foreign body granuloma
Treatment
General treatment
Chalazia will often disappear without further treatment within a few months, and virtually all will resorb within two years.[13]
Healing can be facilitated by applying a moist warm compress to the affected eye for approximately 10–15 minutes, 4 times per day.[14][15] This promotes opening, drainage, and healing by softening the hardened oil that is occluding the duct.[15][16] In addition, it is helpful to scrub the lid margin (at the base of the eyelashes) with a washcloth and mild (baby) shampoo, which removes oily debris.[17][18][19]
Topical antibiotic eye drops or ointment (e.g., chloramphenicol or fusidic acid) are sometimes used for the initial acute infection, but are otherwise of little value in treating a chalazion.[20][citation needed]
If they continue to enlarge or fail to settle within a few months, smaller lesions can be injected with a corticosteroid.
Larger ones can be surgically removed using
Chalazia may recur, and they will usually be biopsied to rule out the possibility of a tumour.[4]
Antibiotic/corticosteroid eyedrops or ointment
A limited course of topical antibiotic/corticosteroid combination eyedrops or ointment such as tobramycin/dexamethasone may be effective in treating a chalazion.[24][25][26]
Surgery
Chalazion surgery is a simple procedure that is generally performed as a day operation, and the person does not need to remain in the hospital for further medical care. The eyelid is injected with a local anesthetic, a clamp is put on the eyelid, then the eyelid is turned over, an incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, and the chalazion is drained and scraped out with a curette. A scar on the upper lid can cause discomfort as some people feel the scar as they blink. As surgery damages healthy tissue (e.g., by scarring tissue or possibly even causing blepharitis), given other options, less invasive treatment is preferable.[27]
Chalazion removal surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia. Commonly, general anesthesia is administered in children to make sure they stay still and no injury to the eye occurs. Local anesthesia is used in adults and it is applied with a small injection into the eyelid. The discomfort of the injection is minimized with the help of an anesthetic cream, which is applied locally.
The chalazion can be removed in two ways, depending on the size of cyst. Relatively small chalazia are removed through a small cut at the back of the eyelid.[28] The surgeon lifts the eyelid to access the back of its surface and makes an incision of approximately 3mm just on top of the chalazion. The lump is then removed, and pressure is applied for a few minutes to stop any oozing of blood that may occur because of the operation.[29] Surgery of small chalazia does not require stitches, as the cut is at the back of the eyelid and therefore the cut cannot be seen, and the cosmetic result is excellent.
Larger chalazia are removed through an incision in front of the eyelid. Larger chalazia usually push on the skin of the eyelid, and this is the main reason why doctors prefer removing them this way. The incision is not usually larger than 3mm and it is made on top of the chalazion. The lump is removed and then pressure is applied to the incision to prevent oozing. This type of surgery is closed with very fine stitches. They are hardly visible and are usually removed within a week after the surgery has been performed. Although chalazia are rarely dangerous, it is common to send the chalazion or part of it to a laboratory to screen for cancer.[13]
When surgery for a chalazion is considered, people who take aspirin or any other blood-thinning medications are advised to stop taking them one week prior to the procedure as they may lead to uncontrollable bleeding.[citation needed]
In rare cases, people are kept overnight in the hospital after chalazion surgery. This includes cases in which complications occurred and the person needs to be closely monitored. In most cases, however, people are able to go home after the operation has ended.
The recovery process is easy and quite fast. Most people with chalazion experience some very minor discomfort in the eye, which can be easily controlled by taking painkilling medication. People are, however, recommended to avoid getting water in the eye for up to 10 days after surgery. They may wash, bathe, or shower, but they must be careful to keep the area dry and clean. Makeup may be worn after at least one month post-operatively. People are recommended to not wear contact lenses in the affected eye for at least eight weeks to prevent infections and potential complications.[citation needed]
Commonly, people receive
People who undergo chalazion surgery are normally asked to visit their eye surgeon for post-op follow-up three to four weeks after surgery has been performed.[citation needed]
Chalazion surgery is a safe procedure and complications seldom occur. Serious complications that require another operation are also very rare. Among potential complications, there are infection, bleeding, or the recurrence of the chalazion.
Steroid injection
Because the inflammatory cells of chalazia are sensitive to
One injection alone has a success rate of about 80%; if requested, a second injection can be given 1–2 weeks later.[4]
Carbon dioxide laser
Chalazion excision using a CO2 laser is also a safer procedure, with minimal bleeding and no eye patching required.[33]
See also
References
- ISBN 9780323187206. Archivedfrom the original on 2017-09-08.
- ^ PMID 26176369.
- ^ ISBN 9780729583459. Archivedfrom the original on 2016-10-18.
- ^ a b c d e f John F, Salmon. "Eyelids". Kanski's Clinical ophthalmology (9 ed.). Elsevier. pp. 39–41.
- ISBN 978-81-312-5415-8.
- ^ "Eyelid Disorders Chalazion & Stye". National Eye Institute. 4 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- ISBN 978-1681044453.
- PMID 23601478.
- ISBN 9780323713344.
- ^ "chalazion (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
- PMID 28359272.
- ^ Shiel WC. "Medical Definition of Laser surgery". MedicineNet. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Chalazion". GPnotebook.
- ISBN 9780826195197.
- ^ ISBN 9780803694798.
- ^ "Chalazion". Archived from the original on 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
- ISBN 9780071843676.
- ISBN 9780195342178.
- ISBN 9781455700929.
- ^ "Chalazion". WebMD. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- S2CID 9130660.
- PMID 10873994. – in which of those cases attending a District General Hospital, approximately one third of selected chalazia resolved within 3 months with conservative treatment, and surgical treatment was successful for 72%.
- ^ "Gerstenkorn/Hagelkorn | Auge Online". www.auge-online.de. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007.
- ISBN 9780323299466.
- ISBN 9780323567954.
- PMID 29338124.
- ^ "Chalazion". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "Removal of chalazion". 2009-07-06. Archived from the original on 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ "The operation". 2009-07-06. Archived from the original on 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
- ^ ISBN 9781420016321.
- ^ ISBN 9780750675765.
- ^ Kashinath Choudhary; Vinod Bhagwat; Manish Shyamkul; Akshay Sathe; Naser Razvi. "Non-Operative Management of Chalazion: Experiences at Tertiary Health Care Centre" (PDF). Walawalkar International Medical Journal.
- PMID 3419780.
External links
- Media related to Chalazion at Wikimedia Commons