chalazion

[lou508]

Ive had chalazions for 2 years in both eyes although thye have decreased emnormasly im really fed up of them now! im goin to the hospital thursday but my cha;azions are right near my tear duct would this make a difference? xx

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You are asking for advice we cannot give on the internet. you need to get in to see an eye MD ophthalmologist.  Start pushing your way up the system.

JCH MD

[spider722]

thank you once again. it doesnt have ulceration, just red and sore lump on inner eyelid. i have attached a couple of pictures. is there any risks in leaving a chalazion alone? also in your opinion is my chalazion small enough that i should leave it alone and not opt for surgery?  thank you in advance. youre really helping me.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Cancers especially meibomian cell cancers are quite rare you can "Google Images" to see what they look like they have a very protean appearance usually with ulceration.  Chalazia are a common as dirt.

JCH MD

[spider722]

thank you. i will push for a refferal. just one more question... is it possible to tell the difference between cancer and a chalazion? if it were cancer would it have come to a head and some of its contents drained? it has not gotten any larger. i would really appreciate your opinion.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Since the "present plan" isn't working I would try and move to the next level. So yes try and see a ophthalmologist. Also you migh read about the use of oral tetracycline drugs for several months (similiar to acne treatment) to reduce oil formation.

There is a better product than baby shampoo and I'm sure you can order on the internet. Go to the website of Theratears SteriLid eyelid cleaning products and also Occusoft Eyelid cleaner. They both make a whole line of products for people with very oily lids and trouble with chalazia.  As I said they are all over the counter products.

JCH MD

[spider722]

hi, thank you very much for your reply. i have read countless articles on blephritis and follow strict regime of cleaning with baby shampoo and hot compresses. when i got the first two chalazions i went to an accident and emergency eye hospital as i couldnt get an appointment with my doctor. they gave me chloramphenicol antibiotic eye ointment (as they were indfected) and a leaflet on blephritis on both occassions. both went quite quickly. with the third chalazion , i just bought the same ointment over the counter and treated it the same way as the previous two.  i live in london, england so health care is a little different to the states. doctors are being advised to not refer unless necessary as it costs the national health service and i have a feeling theyre just going to tell me its a chalazion and give me a leaflet on blephritis again if i were to go. also, i have chronic fatigue syndrome and my immune system is not great but i have not had another chalazion for 6 months but i still have this  stubborn one. if it were you, would you still push for referral ? would you have surgery? i really appreciate your input. youre very helpful.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes:
1. Use the search feature and read about "blepharitis" (the most common cause of chalazions) and "Chalazion".
2. See an ophthalmologist, I suspect you are seeing a non MD non physician optometrist.  Ask your family MD for a referral or go to www.geteyesmart.org to find one near you.

JCH MD

[spider722]

Ive had a chalazion in my lower eyelid for 5 - 6 months. It formed a head a couple of weeks after it formed and some of its contents came out but not all. Now there is a bump under my eyelid. My doctor said she doesnt like to refer for surgery unless its affecting the eye. I have had 2 other chalazions and they went down within a few weeks from hot compresses and cleaning. I clean my chalazion and use hot compress twice a day but theres no more improvement. I am taking cod liver oil to see if that helps. In your opinion, is it best to leave it alone as it is small or should I push for surgery. Do you think it will go? Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You can use the search feature, archives and medical topics to read the many posts about chalazion and preventing them.

Also paste this in your browser and read it:

http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic94.htm

You may need to go on chronic tetracycline therapy and be sure you are using TheraTears SteriLid eyelid cleaner over the counter.

Find an eye MD at www.aao.org

JCH II MD

[B1975]

I've had chalazion in my right eye for about 1 month now, they grow then burst and drained some, then they start to grow again. They seem to be staying at this pea size, but I know what you mean about frustration, I'm tired of seeing them on my eye . You should make an appointment with an opthamologist though, the hopital probably won't lance them or give you any medicine unles there is a Opth. on duty. I have an appointment for March 17th. Maybe I can get to the bottom of it then.