What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is also known as a meibomian gland cyst or a stye. Meibomian glands are oil glands on the edges of the eyelids. They produce the greasy part of the tears which stop them evaporating away too quickly. Sometimes a meibomian gland gets blocked and then swells up because the grease cannot get out. A firm, round lump forms in the lid, and this is a chalazion/meibomian gland cyst.
Often the eyelid becomes inflammed and the chalazion will be red and sore and may even press on the eye and blur the vision a little. Sometimes the chalazion will burst through the skin or through the lining of the eyelid.
Most chalazia are harmless (even if frustrating) and will clear without surgery. Warm compresses and eyelid massage will accelerate the process and reduce the risk of new chalazia forming. This helps the pores in the eyelid to open up and for the grease to drain out. Antibiotic eye ointment from your chemist or doctor will help to reduce infection in the cyst. If after 6 months it is still bothering you, you can ask your GP to refer you to the Eye Unit.
Sometimes a cyst will develop because of an underlying eyelid or skin problem especially blepharitis or adult-onset acne. Treating this condition may help to prevent further cysts developing. If you have several cysts and have blepharitis, tetracycline tablets from your doctor may help them to clear.
What surgery may be required for a chalazion?
If it does not improve after 6 months, a minor operation called “Incision and Curettage” (I&C) under local anaesthetic can help. The main risks as with any operation are infection, bleeding, scarring and recurrence.
Usually a small cut is made on the inside of the eyelid and the contents of the chalazion are scooped out. This means there will be no visible scar. Mr Lin may occasionally use an incision on the skin if the chalazion is not reachable from an inside incision. If there is anything untoward, the contents of the cyst are sent to the laboratory: this is a “biopsy”.
At the end of the operation antibiotic ointment is put in the eye and an eye pad is put on. You will be given the ointment to use at home, usually three times a day for one week. Usually no more appointments are required unless a biopsy was taken.
What happens after the operation?
After the operation you can take the eye pad off after a few hours. You may find some blood and discharge in and around your eye. This is quite normal and can be removed by bathing the lids gently with cool boiled water. Once the anaesthetic solution has worn off you may have a little discomfort for a day or so. You can take simple pain-relief like paracetamol tablets if necessary. The eyelid may look bruised and swollen for a few weeks after the operation. You should not wear contact lenses until the eye feels normal again. We advise that you do not go swimming for two weeks following your surgery.
You should not drive home after the operation so please come to hospital by public transport or arrange for someone to drive you home.
Rarely the cyst may seem to persist after the operation. Usually this is because another one has started to form. In this case you should contact the hospital and arrangements will be made to see you again.
What happens if my child has a meibomian cyst?
In children surgery is done under general anaesthetic as a day case. Your child will need to be checked at a pre-assessment visit, a short while before the operation, to make sure that they are fit and well for the anaesthetic. It is best to postpone the surgery if your child is even slightly unwell e.g. a cough or cold. You will be told when to stop giving food and drink before the operation. It is often worth waiting a little to see if your child’s cyst will get better on its own so that a general anaesthetic can be avoided.
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