Post Chalazion Removal

[ToughGuy8122]

I had a small chalazion removed about a week ago, and now I wake up every morning and notice a significant amount of edema over the part of the eyelid where the chalazion was taken out, is this normal?  If so, when can I expect this condition to improve?  

[horse1]

i had a chalazion removed a couple of years ago and used hot compresses a couple x per day for about a week. i must tell you, it started to come back a few months later and i went back to using hot compresses and got script from doc as well. it continues to be sensitive and if i'm not careful with cleaning and using lubricating drops (i have dry eye), it comes back and i have to start the hot compresses & antibiotic eye drops for a few days.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Not entirely unusual.  Chalazions are tougher to get rid of than you realize.  The excisioin just removes as much of the contents as possible - but the body has to do a lot of the work through the healing process and scavenger macrophage cells removing the remains of the chalazion.  You may be able to help the mild swelling by keeping head elevated, especially when sleeping.  Watch your salt and fluid intake to try to reduce puffiness and water retention.  Some people puff up more than others after eyelid surgery.  Warm compresses can help the chalazion while cool compresses can help the swelling and edema - so It's difficult to know which will help more but I lean toward gentle warm compresses twice a day for 5 minutes.  Head elevation to reduce swelling.

Good Luck

MJK MD