Chalazion: what it is and how to treat this inflammation of the eyelid

By Cristiano Antonino On Aug 1, 2022

Chalazion is a common disease of the eyelid caused by inflammation of the small sebum-producing conjunctival glands

It is a chronic inflammation of one of the conjunctival glands that produce sebum – the oily layer of tears – and are present in the thickness of the eyelid (Meibomian glands).

Inflammation of these glands leads to swelling of the glands themselves and the surrounding eyelid.

Chalazion is characterised by the sudden appearance of a swelling of the eyelid, usually painless

Over time, the swelling develops into a cyst along the edge of the eyelid.

The size varies greatly and ranges from tiny, ‘millet grain’ cysts to swellings that can cause the eyelid to close.

Chalazion can often be treated with local application or general administration of antibiotics and steroids.

But in some cases medical therapy is unsuccessful or fails to prevent complications.

In such cases it is necessary to resort to surgical removal of the chalazion.

The surgical procedure is performed under general anaesthesia in children due to the non-cooperation of the young patients, and consists of incision of the eyelid tissue and removal and cleaning of the inflamed gland; it is often necessary to apply resorbable stitches.

After the operation, the eye is bandaged until the following day when the ophthalmologist carries out the dressing.

Chalazion removal surgery is not always definitive because the disease can recur

Failure to remove the chalazion, in addition to the unsightly appearance, may result in the presence of an infectious outbreak with the possible complications associated with it.

Since this is a surgical procedure, intra- and post-operative complications are possible.