Chalazion Treatment
A chalazion is a lump (cyst) in the eyelid. It is usually painless and may cause blurring of the vision if it becomes large enough. Blurring more commonly occurs from chalazia in the upper lid. The cyst is caused by a blockage of the gland in the tarsal plate, located at the back of the eyelid.
The chalazion may resolve spontaneously, without any treatment, but resolution is encourages by warm compresses, performed three times daily. However, in many cases, definitive treatment involves surgical drainage which is performed under local anaesthesia.Â
Treatment is usually performed in the practice.
Local anaesthetic eyedrops are applied and the lid is prepared for surgery.
The skin is first marked over the chalazion with a medical marker.
Local anaesthesia is then provided by injection into the eyelid. Within a couple of minutes the lid will be numb and the procedure can be performed. The incision (cut) is made from the inside of the lid and will not result in a scar on the skin of the eyelid. The contents of the chalazion are removed and antibiotic ointment is applied before the eye is padded.
The pads will remain in place overnight and may be removed the next morning at home. A layer of paraffin gauze under the pad prevents the dressing from sticking and removing the pad is very easy.
A prescription will be provided for antibiotic ointment that needs to be applied for three days after treatment.
It is reasonable to take the following day off work but the second day after treatment you will be ready to resume work. You will need a driver to drive you home after this procedure as you will have a pad on your eye.