Chalazion - causes and treatment

Some people date eye disease which is expressed as swelling in the lower or upper eyelid area. Of course, thoughts of barley, which can be easily cured, immediately come to mind. But when several days pass, and the treatment still does not give a result, then, most likely? you are faced with a chalazion.

Chaliazion - what is it

This ailment is a process of inflammation in the meibomian gland, which is located on the outer edge century... These glands produce a fatty secretion that maintains the eyeball in a normal state, forming a protective fatty film on its surface.

In the normal state, the fatty secretion is constantly released from the gland through a special passage. But during inflammation, this passage is clogged, and fat accumulates in the cavity of the gland. A capsule is formed, which grows in size over time. In some cases, the opening of the duct occurs naturally and everything returns to normal. But for the most part, the chalazion continues to grow, irritating the eyes and eyelids. Sometimes this leads to visual impairment.

It is very dangerous when an infection joins the chalazion. It causes pus to appear in the clogged gland. From it, suppuration can spread to nearby organs and tissues. In the worst case, keratitis develops, or, as it is also called, corneal inflammation. This disease even leads to complete loss of vision. To avoid such dangerous consequences, it is necessary to seek help at an early stage of the disease.

Chaliazion: photo

You can very well see the chalazion in the photo below. At the same time, note that the tumor is clearly visible both from the outside of the eyelid and from the inside.

Chalazion - reasons

As we have already noted above, the clogging of the meibomian gland ducts was recognized as the cause of the formation of the chalazion. The accumulating fatty secretion causes inflammation of the tissues adjacent to the gland. As a result, a capsule forms at the site of the focus of inflammation, and then a benign tumor in the form of a nodule on the eyelid.

Very often, previous diseases lead to the development of chalazion:

• Barley, especially not completely healed.
• Blepharitis in its chronic form.
• Diabetes.
• Diseases of the stomach.
• Seborrhea.

Violations of personal hygiene, improper wearing can also provoke chalazion contact lenses, stress or hypothermia and other factors.

Chalazion - treatment

This disease of the eyelids can be treated with non-surgical methods, that is, conservatively, with the help of medications. But experts disagree on which method of treating chalazion is suitable. Some believe that this ailment is caused by the same reasons as barley, that is, bacteria. In this case, the treatment should use antibacterial drugs. Others are inclined to believe that this disease belongs to the category of oncology and here it is necessary to act with completely different methods.

Now, most often, experts prescribe antibacterial eye drops to combat chalazion. In this case, the drugs of the latest generation should be preferred. For example, Torbadex drops can be considered an excellent option. This drug acts directly, destroying bacteria in the inflammation. Since the patient has edema with chalazion, a remedy such as Opatanol is prescribed to relieve it. These drops have anti-allergic properties.

Maxitrol drops are very effective against chalazion. Some experts call this drug the most effective for eliminating this ailment. The reason for such a high rating is that these drops contain two antibiotics in combination with a glucocorticosteroid drug. But since this medicine has a very extensive list of contraindications, its use must be agreed with a doctor without fail.

Tetracycline ointment is often used to treat chalazion. It also contains an antibiotic and is quite effective against bacteria. Erythromycin ointment has an even better effect, since the antibiotic included in its composition is more advanced.

Sometimes, to get rid of the chalazion, a special drug is injected into its cavity using a thin needle. Most often, Diprospan, Kenalog or Dexamethasone are used for this. These drugs will gradually dissolve the tumor. If there is an improvement in the patient's condition, then you can perform a second injection with the same drug to speed up the process. To make the treatment more effective, drops containing corticosteroids are prescribed along with the injection.

At the initial stage of the disease, until a tumor has formed, physiotherapy is used to treat chalazion. This method of treatment relieves inflammation and promotes resorption of the contents of the gland. As a treatment, dry heat warming or UHF therapy is prescribed. But such treatment is possible only in the absence of even a hint of inflammation. Otherwise, the heat on this area can cause abscess and infection of adjacent healthy tissue.

Removal of chalazion with a laser

This small operation takes only a few minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. This method of removing a chalazion is bloodless and contactless. Moreover, it is a completely safe procedure. Indeed, in addition to removing the chalazion itself, the laser also disinfects the skin, preventing the possibility of infection.

In addition, the advantage of this method is the absence of a rehabilitation period. Immediately after a small operation, a person can return to normal life.

During the operation, the top layer is evaporated with a laser, then they go to the contents of the capsule, and finally the capsule itself is removed. All this is done without bleeding or suturing. Compared to other treatments, laser removal of chalazion occurs quickly with few risks and least discomfort for a person.

Traditional treatment of chalazion

Let's make a reservation right away that treatment with folk remedies should be used with extreme caution and only in the absence of even a hint of inflammation. Otherwise, such self-medication can lead to sad consequences.

Sometimes warming up with dry heat helps to get rid of chalazion. To do this, simply boil an ordinary chicken egg and, while still warm, attach it to the sore spot. A heating pad or salt heated in a frying pan in a linen bag can be a substitute for a boiled egg.

A poultice of bread crumb and milk works well. You need to put about 100 g of bread in a glass of milk and darken it all a little over the fire. Then add some plantain leaves. Treatment consists of applying this poultice to the affected area.

Chalazion can be treated by alternately applying hot and cold compresses. For example, first apply a lotion with boric acid to the eye, and after three minutes change it to a hot flaxseed compress. A decoction of dill seed or eyebright works well from chalazion. It must be applied to the affected eye for a few minutes.

Juice gives a healing effect for chalazion aloe or Kalanchoe, which just need to lubricate the sore spot.

Chalazion in a child - treatment

Getting rid of this disease in a child can be conservative or surgical. In the first case, mercury yellow ointment or disinfectant drops are prescribed. These remedies are good early on in the development of the disease.

In more complex cases, when there is an advanced form of chalazion, drugs containing corticosteroids are used. These funds are injected into the chalazion for dissolution.

If conservative treatment does not work, then a surgical operation is performed. It consists in the fact that the chalazion is opened from the inside of the eyelid and the capsule contents are cleaned. This simple operation is performed on a child under general anesthesia.

In modern clinics, you can remove the chalazion with a laser. This operation has several advantages over conventional surgical removal. It is less traumatic, requiring only local anesthesia. In this way, you can remove a chalazion of any size and in any state of neglect. And the reappearance of the chalazion during laser removal happens much less.