A chalazion cyst is also sometimes called a Meibomian cyst or Meibomian gland lipogranuloma. It usually starts as a slowly growing lump on the eyelid, which becomes hard and sometimes quite large. There are about 100 oil secreting Meibomian glands on the eyelid along the eyelashes. When one of the ducts that drain them becomes blocked, the fluid backs up and causes a chalazion.
Chalazion cysts can often be treated conservatively with warm compresses several times a day. Some health care providers recommend washing the eyelids/eyelashes with baby shampoo every day as well. It is important to have a chronic lump on the eyelid diagnosed professionally, because while it may be something you can treat at home, it may also be a sign of a systemic illness, skin cancer, or even if it is a chalazion, it can become big and hard enough to damage your cornea.
If the chalazion requires medical treatment, as your doctor has suggested, you may start with a low dose long-term antibiotic for a period of a few weeks or months in addition to the compresses and washing. But if the cyst persists and affects your vision or there is a lot of discomfort or pressure on your eye, you may require surgery. We cannot say if you will lose lashes or if they will grow back - ask your surgeon about this.
Surgery for a chalazion cyst can often be done from under the eyelid. It is an outpatient procedure done with local anesthesia and sedation, and the recovery is not usually painful, but it can be irritating as is anything that puts pressure on your eye.
The recovery period after surgery is short, and you may be prescribed antibiotic and/or lubricating eye drops. If the surgery is done from under the eyelid, there will not be a visible scar. The only downside is there is no guarantee that you won’t develop another chalazion. Continuing to wash with the baby shampoo may help prevent recurrence.
Please ask your specialist for further information and we wish you the best.
Susan
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Hello Anon
Thank you for writing.
A chalazion cyst is also sometimes called a Meibomian cyst or Meibomian gland lipogranuloma. It usually starts as a slowly growing lump on the eyelid, which becomes hard and sometimes quite large. There are about 100 oil secreting Meibomian glands on the eyelid along the eyelashes. When one of the ducts that drain them becomes blocked, the fluid backs up and causes a chalazion.
Chalazion cysts can often be treated conservatively with warm compresses several times a day. Some health care providers recommend washing the eyelids/eyelashes with baby shampoo every day as well. It is important to have a chronic lump on the eyelid diagnosed professionally, because while it may be something you can treat at home, it may also be a sign of a systemic illness, skin cancer, or even if it is a chalazion, it can become big and hard enough to damage your cornea.
If the chalazion requires medical treatment, as your doctor has suggested, you may start with a low dose long-term antibiotic for a period of a few weeks or months in addition to the compresses and washing. But if the cyst persists and affects your vision or there is a lot of discomfort or pressure on your eye, you may require surgery. We cannot say if you will lose lashes or if they will grow back - ask your surgeon about this.
Surgery for a chalazion cyst can often be done from under the eyelid. It is an outpatient procedure done with local anesthesia and sedation, and the recovery is not usually painful, but it can be irritating as is anything that puts pressure on your eye.
The recovery period after surgery is short, and you may be prescribed antibiotic and/or lubricating eye drops. If the surgery is done from under the eyelid, there will not be a visible scar. The only downside is there is no guarantee that you won’t develop another chalazion. Continuing to wash with the baby shampoo may help prevent recurrence.
Please ask your specialist for further information and we wish you the best.
March 29, 2018 - 2:29pmSusan
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