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What is a Chalazion?
Chalazion is a blocked gland in the eyelids. This blockage
may cause the glands to become swollen and eventually burst with in the eyelids
causing redness and swelling. Chalazion often occurs more than once and may
affect one or more of both the upper or lower eyelids. There are 25 glands in
the upper and 25 in the lower eyelid of each eye. Each gland has a possibility
of becoming blocked, usually due to debris and becoming a chalazion.
What is the treatment?
Treatment may include any one or more of the following
procedures: Your doctor will explain what type of treatment is best for your
child.
Medical
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Eyelid scrubs (with the eyes closed) using either baby
shampoo mixed half and half with water on a gauze, cotton ball or washcloth,
or a commercially available lid-care solution to help remove the debris and
crusts at the glad opening. The gland opens in the eyelashes. A vertical
cleaning motion is best to encourage the debris to slide along and then off
the eyelashes and improve gland drainage.
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Warm compresses applied to the eyelids for 15 minutes, a
few minutes on then a few minutes off are effective. This helps to melt the
secretions stuck in the gland. During the compressing gentle massage toward
the eyelashes helps to further encourage drainage. Use clean tap water and a
clean washcloth.
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Antibiotic drops or ointment are sometimes prescribed by
your doctor if there is felt to be an associated infection. Generally this is
not required. The chalazion itself is not usually infected and so antibiotics
are not generally helpful.
Surgical
If surgery is required what will happen after the
procedure?
- Immediatly after surgery, the affected eye(s) is patched. In most cases
the patch is removed later the same day or the next day.
- The eyelid(s) may be slightly swollen and bruised at first. It may take
several days for it to improve.
- There are no stitches
- Antibiotic ointment is ordered for the affected eye(s)
- A follow-up appointment is made with the doctor, usually within a week
after the operation.
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