Chalazion Treatment
Chalazion treatment results
Chalazion treatment, London
What are chalazion?
A chalazion, medically known as meibomian cyst, is a small bump that forms on the eyelid. It’s caused by a blockage in one of the tiny glands that produce oil to keep your eyes lubricated. This blockage traps the oil, forming a raised lump that is often quite red and inflamed. Initially this is likely to be quite small and painless, but over time, chalazion can grow and cause the eye area to look constantly swollen. Some patients have more than one chalazion, which causes additional embarrassment.
Most of the time, chalazion are completely harmless, but they can be annoying and get in the way. You may feel discomfort and have the urge to rub your eyes; or may feel self-consciousness about the appearance.
The starting point in chalazion treatment is to get a proper diagnosis. Chalazia are different to styes, warts, skin tags or xanthelasma,
Common chalazion symptoms
These may include:
- A bump on your eyelid, usually on the upper eyelid but sometimes on the lower one
- Redness around the bump
- Sensitivity to light (occasionally)
- Blurred vision (if the chalazion is large enough to press on your eye)
What Causes Chalazia?
The main culprit behind a chalazion is a blocked meibomian gland. This blockage can happen due to several reasons:
- Inflammation:
A condition called blepharitis, which causes inflammation of the eyelid margins, can contribute to blocked glands. - Dry eyes:
Chronic dry eyes can thicken the oil produced by the meibomian glands, making them more likely to clog. - Skin conditions:
Rosacea and eczema around the eyes can also increase the risk of chalazia.
Chalazion treatment London
Cosmedics Skin Clinics offers a choice of treatment options for chalazion eyelid cysts. Our aim is to deliver optimum results – complete removal, quick recovery and minimal scarring.
- Injections (Intralesional Steroid Injection):
This is the least invasive option as it involves no cutting and is a relatively quick procedure with minimal recovery time. It is painless as we use anaesthetic to numb the area prior to injecting. It is the most economic option in terms of price, although sometimes treatment may require a series of injections with repeat visits and additional costs.
Studies show success rates of over 90% in some cases. - Surgical removal:
For large or recurrent chalazia, we may recommend a minor surgical procedure to ensure complete removal in just one visit. This involves incision and curettage to seal the wound. Compared to injections, it is more expensive and more invasive, but the procedure is highly effective with a very high success rate (over 90%) with a single procedure. It is less likely that the chalazion return compared to injections.
We can recommend the most appropriate option after assessment of your cyst in person. Please book a consultation to find out more. Our See & Treat service means that we can offer same-day treatment in many cases or if preferred, it can be arranged at a later date.
Surgeons you can trust
At Cosmedics Skin Clinics, chalazion treatment is exclusively offered by Mr Michail Malandrakis.
Mr Malandrakis is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon with a subspecialty in oculoplastics. He has completed a level 7 postgraduate certificate in cosmetic injectables and is registered on the GMC specialist register.
You can rest assured you are in safe hands at our London clinics.
Treatment time
15-20 mins per eyelid
Recovery time
Minimal for injections
Chalazion Treatment Costs
Treatment | Cost |
---|---|
Consultation | £150 |
Steroid injection | From £350 |
Surgical removal | From £550 |
Chalazion Consultation
The cost of consultation with Mr Michail Malandrakis is £150.
Prices are a guide to the costs and the exact price can only be determined once the doctor has examined you in person.
Please call 0207 386 0464 OR email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk for help.
How Do I Book an Appointment?
Our medical advisors would be happy to make an appointment for you:
- Call 0207 386 0464
- Email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk
The consultation fee is payable on booking. We have a 48-hour cancellation policy.
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Chalazion FAQ: Questions & Answers
What’s the difference between a chalazion and a stye?
Both chalazia and styes are eyelid bumps caused by blocked oil glands, but they have some key differences:
- Infection:
A stye (hordeolum) is an infected oil gland, whereas a chalazion is a non-infected blockage. This is the main distinction. - Pain:
Styes are typically painful, while chalazia are usually painless or cause mild discomfort. - Location:
Styes tend to form on the edge of the eyelid, near the base of an eyelash. Chalazia develop deeper within the eyelid, further back from the edge. - Onset and Duration:
Styes appear suddenly and typically resolve within a week or two. Chalazia develop more slowly and can last for weeks or even months.
Are there any DIY/at home treatments for chalazion?
Firstly, you could wait a bit and see what happens, as some chalazia go away on their own within a few weeks or months.
Then there are some home remedies you can try, although it’s important to be very careful and gentle with the delicate eye area:
- Warm compresses:
Apply a warm compress to your eyelid for 10-15 minutes, several times a day. This can help melt the blocked oil and encourage drainage. - Gentle massage:
After applying a warm compress, gently massage your eyelid in the direction of the lashes. This can help express the blocked oil. - Lid scrubs:
You can use a special eyelid scrub to help remove debris and keep the glands from clogging again.
For large, well-established or stubborn chalazion, professional treatment is likely to yield the fastest and surest results.
Can I get antibiotics for chalazion?
No, antibiotics typically won’t get rid of a chalazion by themselves, as chalazia are not infections. They are caused by blocked oil glands, not bacteria that antibiotics target.
Antibiotic ointments may be helpful in reducing inflammation and preventing infection, but are unlikely to help get rid of the chalazion itself.
Cosmedics do not offer antibiotic treatment for chalazion. This would need to be assessed and prescribed by your GP.
Can I squeeze or pop my chalazion?
No, this is not recommended. Chalazion is not a spot, it is a blocked duct. You should not be tempted to squeeze it as the eye area is very delicate.
Does it hurt?
No, there’s no discomfort. Treatment is quick and painless with the use of local anaesthetic. This is safe as our surgeon is specialised in treating the eye area.
Do I need stitches or dressings?
There are no bandages required and minimal dressing if any.
Minor surgery may involve tiny stitches. These would be removed 5-7 days later.
Will it leave a scar?
There is no scarring with chalazion injections. Larger chalazion may require surgery and that does involve a risk of scarring. However, we use techniques to minimise this with tiny incisions and wound closure for rapid healing.
Can I wear makeup after chalazion treatment?
You’ll be given full advice on the day, but it is fair to expect that you’ll be advised to avoid use of makeup around the eye area initially. This is likely to be a couple of days if you’ve had injections and 1-2 weeks after minor surgical removal. It is important to minimise the risk of infection or irritation while any wounds are healing.
Can I wear contact lenses afterwards?
If you’ve had injections, then we’d recommend wearing spectacles/glasses for the first couple of days, just to avoid any pulling on the eyelid which would be required for contact lens insertion and removal.
If you have had minor surgery, then it is likely to be a few more days, probably until stitches are removed. However, it does depend on the nature of your chalazion. This is something that you’d discuss fully in consultation prior to treatment.
What are the chances of the chalazion returning?
Chalazions can potentially recur even after successful treatment, although it is more likely to return if you’ve just had one injection and less likely if you’ve had a course of injections or minor surgery.
We do recommend maintaining good eyelid hygiene to minimise the risk of recurrence. If you suffer from any underlying conditions, such as blepharitis or dry eye, then it’s best to keep on top of the symptoms.