Chronic problem

I have a problem with chalazia forming and leaving giant lumps around my eyes (which thank goodness, do tend to go away eventually, but it takes up to a year).  My issue is that I am present experiencing a flare of multiple bumps that are red and swollen.  I have probably had about 20+ of these, and I am noticing that eyes are very dry at night when I awaken.  I can figure out how to treat the eyes with lubricants, so treatment isn't my question--what I'm wondering is whether each chalazion is destroying my meibomian glands, resulting in my nighttime symptoms or whether the glands remain functional after each incident and my dry eye symptoms are coincidental.  I have had one chalazion surgically drained, but that’s it.  

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Krmunger,

I would recommend that you seek the care of an eyeMD and obtain an appropriate diagnosis and care.  You should perform daily eyelid hygiene and use warm compresses around your eyelids.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California