What 's that Bump on Your Eyelid? - It May Be a Chalazion
In layman's terms, the four eyelids all have many glands which are arranged perpendicular to the eye lid margin. These glands open on the edge of the eyelids just inside of the lash line. There are about 28 glands in each normal lid. These glands produce oil which is a component of our tear film. The oil in these glands is released on to the edge of the eyelid and mix with water and mucus to form the normal tear.
At times these openings may become blocked and the oil secretions accumulate in the gland and cause a swelling in the upper lid. Very quickly these swellings can become acutely inflamed and very tender. The body actually attacks these blocked up secretions in an attempt to treat the problem and that produces a red inflamed lid. The amount of swelling and redness can vary and in some cases there may be multiple chalazions on one lid.
The most common treatment is to use a combination antibiotic-steroid drop four time a day and frequent hot compresses applied to the lid at least four or five times a day. The more frequent compresses the better. In most cases, this causes the Chalazion to drain and the swelling and inflammation subsides. The secretions gradually get absorbed and the bump goes away. In many patients the bump may remain for weeks or months after the inflammation subsides.
In my experience, if the patient does apply this non-surgical treatment, the problem resolves itself 95% of the time without surgery. Some patients do not like the appearance and may not be willing to try the non-surgical approach.
Surgery performed with a local injection into the lid will also solve the problem but most people choose the non-surgical intervention. In 5% of the cases, surgery is necessary anyway. Chalazions can be treated successfully and usually do not cause further problems. People who have repeated multiple chalazions probably need to scrub their lids on a regular basis and perhaps they need antibiotics to treat the chronic underlying condition that causes them to repeatedly develop chalazions. If you have this problem you should seek medical advice.
Www.dapremont.com
www.dailyrecipedoctor.com
Published by S. A. Knight
Born and raised in New Orleans, Dr. Dapremont has practiced Ophthalmology on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1982. Dr. Dapremont completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Walter Reed Army Medical Cente... View profile
- BlepharitisAll the general information on Blepharitis you may need.
- The Signs and Symptoms of Ocular RosaceaRosacea is a chronic skin condition associated with redness and pustules that can affect both facial skin and the eyes. The condition, when associated with the skin, is called acne rosacea and where the eyes are affec...
- What Causes Bumps on the Eyelid?Are you experiencing bumps on the eyelids? Here's what can cause this common symptom.
- Common Rosacea TriggersThe symptoms of acne rosacea is red and flushed skin, dry flaky skin, increase in body temperature and facial flushing with food or event triggers, and breakouts or pustules that centralize generally on the nose, fore...
- Writing a Horror Short Story: Things that Go Bump on the PageTips to write and improve a short story in the horror genre.
- What to Do When My Child Has a Bump on Her Eyelid?
- Is it Just a Stye or Something More?
- Keep Your Auto Trunk Lid from Drooping
- How to Treat Dandruff of the Eyelids
- Eye Troubles: Styes and Chalazions
- Chalazion (Eyelid Cyst)
- Chalazion: Swollen Eyelids and How to Fix Them
- The most common treatment is to use a combination antibiotic-steroid drop four time a day
- Frequent hot compresses are necessary
- Surgical intervention is not usually necessary