Chalazion
What is it?
Occlusion of the excretory ducts of the Meibomian glands causes an upstream accumulation of non-secreted matter with encystment of the same. The patient complains of a nodular formation and may develop in either the upper or lower eyelid.
Causes and risk factors
Sometimes the chalazion can grow so large that it causes ptosis (drooping) of the eyelid if it develops on the upper eyelid or ectropion if it develops on the lower eyelid, as well as affecting the pressure of the eye itself.
Which are the symptoms?
Eyelid deformity occurs. If upper eyelid, mechanical ptosis (descent) of the upper eyelid may be present.
- Deformation
- Eyelid Ptosis
- Sometimes aching
How is it diagnosed?
Single or multiple roundish swelling is observed on the upper eyelid or even on the lower eyelid and even on multiple eyelids. The patient feels the sensation of a foreign body, and more often if voluminous and located on the upper eyelids the eyelid appears descended/slumped (hence the term chalazions), identifying a mechanical ptosis due to mass encumbrance. Everting the eyelid can be seen where the palpebral conjunctiva is irritated and is the site of chalazion development. Histologically the chalazion is formed by granulomatous tissue resulting in chronic local inflammation.
How is it treated?
Initially, it is recommended to make daily warm wet compresses with relative eyelid massage, in an attempt to drain the chalazion. But if the capsule that holds the missed secretion has already developed, surgery remains the treatment of choice. It proceeds under local anesthesia through an intraconjunctival eyelid mini-incision, rarely transcutaneously, to the drainage of the occluded material and the removal of the capsule to avoid recurrence, although no stitches are required. The patient will have a dressing covering the eye for about 3-4 hours, and at home it is recommended to apply ophthalmic eye drops for a week.
Where do we treat it?
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