Post-op: Toddler chalazion surgery

[NadyMom]

Hello, my daughter is 30 months old. Two days ago, she had surgery to remove numerous chalazia from all four lids. Two of them were removed through excision on the lid, requiring stitches. The remaining numerous ones were removed through incisions on the inner lids. Swelling of one eye has gone down tremendously while the other eye is still nearly swollen shut. My question is about the swollen eye. Although it could be because that eye is still very swollen, but she can barely open the eye up and can only see through the inner corner of the eye. It had me worried so I took a look inside. When I opened the lids, there appeared to be some sort of white tissue-like material that looks like it's holding the upper and lower eyelids together (starting from the outer edge to halfway of the eye), and maybe that's why she can't open her eye all the way. This white tissue material also appears to be lining the whole inner eyelid. I called the ophthalmologist and was told it may be hardened mucus and to use warm water to try to soften it but that's not working. This tissue material is not touching her eye and does not appear to be mucus. Can you tell me what this white tissue-like material is and if I should call the office for an emergency appointment to have this checked? Thank you for your time.

[NadyMom]

Thank you for answering so quickly. But do you have any idea what this white tissue-like material could be? Is it possible that this could be a part of the healing process? I understand that you may not be able to answer my questions so again, thank you for your time.

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

You really need to discuss this with the doctor.

Dr. O.