By Randall Douglas


When the ducts of the meibomian glands get blocked, the oils which are supposed to be secreted to lubricate the tear film will not be able to get out and a chalazion or a meibomian gland lipogranuloma forms. As a consequence, the eyelid gets inflamed and a stye-looking nodule appears. Unlike a stye, a chalazion will not resolve in a few days time but will harden into a lump that grow as big as 8 mm in diameter.

Since no infection is present in a chalazion, antibiotic treatments using eye drops or ointments containing chloramphenicol has not exhibited any beneficial effect. Instead, non-pharmacological conservative management of the chalazion is the most common approach. The application of warm compress to the affected eyelid for about 15 minutes at least 4 times daily is what comprises this mode of chalazion management. This is usually combined with eyelid massage which eases out the secretions which have hopefully been softened with the constant application of heat.

In some cases, doctors may suggest injection of corticosteroids right into the lesion to reduce swelling and eventually remove the meibomian gland lipogranuloma. This is usually suggested for lesions that are relatively smaller in size and do not resolve with conservative treatment. When all forms of non-invasive approaches do not help remove the chalazion, surgery through a procedure known as incision and curettage becomes an option. Unfortunately, this does not totally get rid of the problem inasmuch as a chalazion can still recur even if a previous one had already been removed.

For those who are prone to meibomian cysts, preventing them from growing in the first place is cheaper (costs for surgery range from $500 to $1000) and less of a hassle than dealing with them when they have already developed. Here are some ways by which you can prevent the growth of chalazia:

The foundation of chalazion prevention is eyelid hygiene. Doing this two times a day-once in the morning and once in the evening-is sufficient to keep the ducts of the oil glands open. Mild soap or no-tears baby shampoo can be used for this purpose. Cleaning the eyelid margins regularly prevents the build up of debris that can clog the openings and start the process of chalazion.

Hand hygiene should also be practiced vigilantly. Frequent washing of the hands using soap and water prevents the transmission of infection in case you accidentally rub the infected eye. Prevention of infectious eye disorders like styes is essential because these usually precede chalazia growths. As much as possible, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes with your hands.

Remove make up before going to sleep and do not share make up or beauty tools. In fact, you should try to avoid wearing eye make up unless it is absolutely necessary if you are prone to meibomian cysts. All that gunk can only clog the ducts that can start the process of chalazion development.

Commercial towelettes presoaked in a disinfecting solution to remove make up can readily be bought in stores if you find using soap and water inconvenient. Make up tools like brushes, eyelash curlers and applicators should also be clean before letting this make contact with your eyes. If you are vigilant about preventing chalazion, you should buy your own make up set and beauty tools and reserve these only for your own use.




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1 comments:

Unknown said...

Chalazions and styes appear as red bumps on the eyelid, sometimes become enlarged and swollen. They are caused by blocked oil glands on the lid, and both can become infected. They can cause discomfort and even visual problems if they grow very large. Styes are caused from swollen eyelid glands, stemming from the base of an eyelash. It is usually red in appearance and the bump caused by the stye can be painful to the touch. The symptoms of a stye or a chalazion tend to vary. Almost a quarter of the people who have a chalazion do not experience any symptoms, although a larger chalazion can cause pain and problems with vision. Making an appointment with a board-certified ophthalmologist, like Dr. Tracy for Chalazion Treatment In San Diego, to have the condition diagnosed will be beneficial. Dr. Tracy will examine the stye or chalazion and recommend the best course of action for your individual needs.Both styes and chalazia can come back, once they have gone away, so it is important to be aware that this can happen.

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