Chalazion on lower eyelid appeared 1 year and half ago. Is it too late to treat conservatively?

Question

I have a chalazion that appeared about 18 months ago. It was just one bump, in the past month I developed another one and I think another one is forming. I am Caucasian. Will conservative treatment with frequent warm compresses help? Or is it too late? What is causing this?

Sean R. Weiss, MD, FACS · Answer

surgery for chalazion is not typically the first approach. Typically warm compresses and gentle massage is tried first. Occasionally eye drops are prescribed. If these measures fail to resolve the issue, then excision or incision and drainage may be required. 
Best Regards, Dr Weiss

Tanya T. Khan, MD · Answer

Hello, we always recommend treating chalazia conservatively at first, with warm compresses and gentle lid massage to allow the area to decompress spontaneously. If that does not result in complete resolution, you may be a candidate for a steroid injection or surgical incision/drainage.

Damon B. Chandler, MD · Answer

Nobody likes chalazia -- and while many go away in a few days with warm compresses, some become hard cystic lumps on the eyelids which can persist for years. They are caused by an obstructed gland in the eyelid itself. Warm compresses can always be tried, but for persistent chalazia, surgery is often necessary. Eye drops rarely help (though they are almost always prescribed) and I myself never use steroid injections in my practice for this condition. Often surgery can remove these persistent lumps that everyone hates.Do not see any doctors who treat this condition part-time -- please seek out a board certified, fellowship trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon -- an expert with experience in eyelid surgery. In my practice, old cysts in the eyelid that simply look unpleasant (but are not infected, and causing no harm) are considered cosmetic surgery for removal. I have treated thousands of these in my career. Best wishes to you. Damon B. Chandler, MD
Harvard-Penn Trained Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon

Sara A. Kaltreider, MD (retired) · Answer

Conservative medical management can include hot compresses, topical antibiotic ointment (with or without steroid component), and addition of an oral antibiotic if unresponsive to topical treatment. Chalazia are chronic lesions and may take months to resolve. If they are small and non-visible, there is no hurry to proceed to surgical drainage unless some other diagnosis is suspected. Surgical management is indicated when the chalazion does not resolve with medical management.Meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, eyelid lesions blocking the excretion of the oil glands, rosacea and other skin diseases are a few of the underlying factors in development of chalazia. It is the most common lesion of the eyelids.You may want to see an ophthalmologist or oculoplastics specialist to confirm the diagnosis, inform you of your options based on examination, and suggest a treatment plan. Best wishes.

Chalazion on lower eyelid appeared 1 year and half ago. Is it too late to treat conservatively?

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