Three weeks after chalazions were gone, my eyelid is still red, droopy and thicker (bigger). Do I need steroid injections?

Question

I have had a big chalazion in my upper left eyelid. I had surgery to remove it. Then I immediately got a new one that I could reduce with hot compress and ointment. Now the new chalazion is not noticeable because it is very spread out making my one eye look thicker, red, and droopy. There is obvious asymmetry now and it bothers me a lot. When I compare the eyelid edge (behind the eyelash where the glands are), I could see that my right eye is thin and white, and the left one is thick and red!

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Need photo or examination to better help. Chalazions can come in bunches. There are various treatments that can be considered but draining is the surest.

Sara A. Kaltreider, MD (retired) · Answer

Often residual thickening of the eyelid takes weeks to months to completely resolve. I have my patients continue medical treatment with hot compresses and antibiotic (or antibiotic/steroid) ointment for 4+ weeks after chalazion excision. If there are other underlying conditions such as rosacea, oral Doxycycline may be added. You will hear different opinions, but I am not a fan of intralesional injection of steroids. Best wishes.

Three weeks after chalazions were gone, my eyelid is still red, droopy and thicker (bigger). Do I need steroid injections?

Answers (2)