Persistent chalazia

On September, 2008 I got an eye infection, which disappeared with the use of antibiotic droplets (gatifloxacin), but left a small bump on my lower eyelid. I consulted an ophthalmologist and he diagnosed that I had two, not only one, chalazia, one in the lower eyelid and the other in the upper. He recommended Tobramycin + Dexamethasone and instructed me to apply hot compresses and baby shampoo on the affected eye.
However, the problem did not disappear and the bumps got bigger, so he recommended surgical removal of both, which he did around October last year, indicating Tobramycin + Dexamethasone for the post-surgical treatment.
On November the both chalazia had reappered and by January they were five, three in the upper lid, two in the lower lid. I consulted an ophthalmologist with a specialty in eyelids and he instructed me to take two pills of Doxycycline a day for 28 days, then one pill for another 28 days. He also recommended another surgery to be performed to remove the chalazia, with Ciprofloxacin + Dexamethason for the post-surgical recovery.
I underwent the surgery and after only four days one of the upper lid chalazia reappeared. Then, after some more days, other in the lower lid returned.
I am worried that I am not getting any better with treatments and surgeries. Is there any other illness that can produce this persistence? What kind of specialist should I consult that really knows what this is?
Thank you

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

A board-certified ophthalmologist should be able to take care of this problem and the doctor you are seeing now seems to have a good  handle on the situation. The oral doxycycline may need to be continued for a while longer and should help to reduce more problems down the road (as long as you take it.)  Sometimes in my practice, kenalog (steroid) injections are quite helpful with these type of cases as the steroid stays locally in the area for a month or more and avoids the cutting and possible scarring of excision (particularly helpful in recurrent cases where multiple excisions will damage the eyelid structure.)  Aggressive eyelid warm, moist compresses, and a better diet rich in fruits and vegetables and a healthy amount of omega 3 fish oil and flaxseed oil may also help.

MJK MD