A chalazion is a small, painless bump that develops on the eyelid when one of the tiny oil-producing meibomian glands becomes blocked. The gland’s secretions build up, causing inflammation and forming a firm, round lump on the eyelid. While many of these lesions resolve on their own, a persistent chalazion may require intervention.
Initial Self-Care Techniques
The first step in managing a chalazion involves conservative, self-administered therapy designed to soften the contents of the blocked gland. The primary method is the consistent application of a warm compress to the affected eyelid. The heat helps to liquefy the viscous oil secretions, allowing them to drain from the gland.
A clean washcloth, gauze, or specialized heat pack should be soaked in warm (not scalding) water and applied to the closed eyelid for 5 to 15 minutes. This process should be repeated three to six times daily. Following the heat application, a gentle eyelid massage can be performed, stroking toward the edge of the eyelid to manually assist in expressing the contents.
Professional Non-Surgical Treatments
When consistent self-care measures fail to reduce the size of the lesion after several weeks, a medical professional may recommend a less invasive clinical approach. The most common non-surgical intervention is an intralesional corticosteroid injection, typically using a medication like triamcinolone acetonide. This treatment is effective for smaller, non-infected chalazia.
The steroid is injected directly into the chalazion in an office setting to reduce the localized inflammation. This procedure is quick and is often chosen as an alternative to surgery, especially when the lesion is near the tear drainage system. A single steroid injection can lead to the resolution of the chalazion, with success rates comparable to surgical removal.
Understanding Surgical Removal
If a chalazion is large, persistent for more than a few months, or begins to interfere with vision, the physician may recommend Incision and Drainage (I&D). This is a minor, outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. A specialized chalazion clamp is placed on the eyelid to stabilize the tissue and minimize bleeding.
The surgeon typically makes a small incision on the inner surface of the eyelid, which helps to avoid a visible external scar. Once the chalazion is opened, an instrument called a curette is used to scrape out the granulomatous material and oily contents.
The clamp is then removed, and sutures are often not required because the incision is made on the inner lining. The entire process is usually completed in under 20 minutes, offering a definitive treatment for chronic lesions.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Following any medical procedure for chalazion removal, patients should anticipate a short recovery period. Immediately after an Incision and Drainage, a pressure patch may be applied for several hours to help control initial bleeding and swelling. Mild discomfort, bruising, and swelling of the eyelid are common for the first few days, and over-the-counter pain relievers can be used as needed.
Patients are instructed to use prescribed antibiotic drops or ointment for about a week to prevent infection at the site. Avoid rubbing the eye, wearing contact lenses, or applying eye makeup until the area has fully healed. While the incision site may heal within 7 to 10 days, the residual inflammation or bump may take several weeks or even up to a month to completely flatten and resolve.