Chalazion getting bigger, what can I do?

Question

I got the chalazion on my left lower lid 2 months ago,I use hot compresses everyday and it looks not red as before.And I had fever few days ago,so I stopped doing anything for my eye and just slept. Today,I found that my lump is getting bigger.. What should I do now..? Should I go back to my eye care center to get a referral for the chalazion removal? Can anyone tell me the cost of its in Toronto? Thank you so much!

Afshin Farzadmehr, MD · Answer

There is a medical and surgical solution for chalazion.  Both covered by health insurances.  Relatively simple procedure to have it removed if medical treatment fails

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

It most likely needs to be drained which is best done using vertical incision inside the lower eyelid. See following link and video. See an oculoplastic specialist.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

I very much advocate starting with a kenalog injection rather than surgical incision and drainage of the chalazia.  The lesion is very sensitive to the kenalog and often just melts away with this treatment avoiding surgery.  Open your mouth and ask about this option.

J. Timothy Heffernan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Warm compresses applied to the area, and you probably need a antibiotic eye drop prescription and try that for 10 days. If it does not get better, than you will need to excise the chalazion and would recommend seeing a oculofacial plastic surgeon for this. Best of luck, Dr. Heffernan

Daniel Lensink, MD · Answer

Generically speaking, you have several options:
1. Watch and wait, 2. Topical medications, 3. Steroid injection, 4. Incision and curretage. You should discuss with an ophthalmologist/ophthalmic plastic surgeon which option is best for you. Most likely you will undergo a tiny incision with curretage. This should only take a few minutes.

Chalazion getting bigger, what can I do?

Answers (5)