Chalazion or Meibomian Cyst

The most common eyelid surgeries are the opening of chalazions (meibomian cysts) and hordeola (styes). These are congestions in the sebaceous glands of the eyelids that are usually healed with warm, dry compresses, topical massage, and ointment. However, these remedies are not always sufficient and, from time to time, a local anesthetic operation is required to remove the formation. After local anesthesia, an eyelid clamp is fixated, the eyelid is inverted, and the incision is made from the mucous membrane side of the eyelid, sometimes from the skin side. The contents of the blockage are excreted with a special instrument, and any bleeding is stopped by heat or local pressure.

Analogous simple surgical interventions, including papillomas and atheromas, are usually performed by ophthalmologists.

Dr. Margarita Rebrov performing one of the most frequent operations – opening a chalazion.

Alternatives

1. Warm compresses, massage, and cleansing can be an alternative to surgical intervention. If the chalazion is deep, the procedures mentioned above may not help.
2. Corticosteroid (cortisone) injection – multiple injections may be required depending on the case. Possible complications include depigmentation of the eyelids or deposition of the drug at the injection site.
3. Monitoring – the option not to operate and accept the presence of a chalazion.
4. IPL treatment.