Do you have recurrent chalazia on your eyelids and have to have surgery to remove it? Most likely, you also have chronic dry eyes. Dry eyes cause the meibomian oil gland located on your eyelids to clog ( meibomian gland dysfunction) resulting in a chalazion. Or drive an infection resulting in a style.
Can dry eyes be the cause?
Many people who suffer from recurrence believe they don’t have dry eyes. In cases of chalazion, there are blocked tiny Meibomian glands on the upper or lower eyelid all around.
Dry eyes is as a part of a more generalized disease, not just the lump. Therefore, the treatment typically consists of heating, massage (for meibomian gland dysfunction), and cleaning the eyelids. We highly recommend TheraLife Eye capsules with omega 3 supplements and sometimes oral antibiotics.
Chalazion and dry eye can both be part of the same spectrum of Meibomian gland dysfunction. Let us think “Dry eye – Chalazion – Posterior Blepharitis – Meibomian gland dysfunction” as all part of the same spectrum in young adults.
What causes dry eyes?
This occurs especially for those who spend many hours on-screen work each day. While sitting hours in front of computer screens, concentrating on one fixed point and reading, our eyes blink less frequently. That is why especially young adults have the feeling of dry eyes and blurry vision in the evening.
The changes in your tear film causes less tear production causing dryness on the ocular surface, meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis and of course chalazion. Sometimes external factors, like hot or cold weather, wind, dust, or cigarette smoke, also play a role in increasing the feeling of dry eyes.
What it is
It is a blockage in a small duct in your eyelid (called the meibomian glands ) that can result in a little bump and cause eyelid swelling. Each of your eyelids has small glands called meibomian glands located near the eyelashes, which produce one of the oils that lubricate your eye.
When these glands cannot release their oil because their duct is blocked, the oil backs up and causes a bump. Thus a chalazion.
Is it infectious?
A chalazion is not the result of an infection, although it can follow an infection of the eye. Infection of these same small ducts is called a stye, , which may look like one but is usually quite painful and tender. It can grow to the size of a marble in extreme circumstances. Your eye doctor can help you diagnose your condition.
Recurrence
Some people have recurring chalazion or styes. This is a chronic condition that requires treatment. TheraLife has the perfect solution. Your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have a stye.
Causes- Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Each of the oil glands, called meibomian glands, produces oil that flows out of the gland into the tears to make the tears thicker.
There are about 30 to 40 of these glands within each of the upper and lower lids. The oil comes out from each gland through a tiny circular opening just behind the eyelashes of the upper and lower eyelids of both eyes.
A chalazion is caused by the oil in the gland becoming too thick to flow out of the gland or the gland’s opening being obstructed. The oil builds up inside the gland and forms a lump in the eyelid without anywhere to go.
The gland wall may break, releasing the oil into the eyelid tissue, causing inflammation and sometimes scar tissue. Alternative names for a chalazion include conjunctival granuloma, conjunctival lipogranuloma , or meibomian gland lipogranuloma.
Chalazion vs Stye
Although a style is also a lump in the eyelid caused by an oil gland’s obstruction, a chalazion is not a style.
A stye represents an acute infection of the gland.
A chalazion is not infectious but is an inflammation of the area. Inflammation is a process in which the body reacts to a condition and produces swelling, redness, pain, or warmth.
A stye is usually more painful than a chalazion and may appear infected. Both are a result of meibomian gland dysfunction.
Risk Factors
Risk factors include a prior history, acne rosacea, a family history, and oily skin.
Symptoms and Signs
- Swelling of the upper or lower eyelid may occur gradually over weeks, with chalazia occurring more frequently on the upper lid.
- Appears as a localized hard lump that may grow as large as 1/8 of an inch.
- Occasionally, one may feel pain, and the eyelid may be red. It may be more visible when one looks inside the lid while looking in a mirror.
- Rquire only minimal medical treatment
When should you contact your eye doctor?
Contact an eye doctor immediately for frequent bouts of eyelid swelling or if experiencing any of the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Any visual changes (for example, blurred vision, decreased ability to see)
- Eye pain and/or drainage
- Extensive swelling or redness
Diagnosis
Your eye doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. The examination includes vision testing of each eye and an inspection of the face, eyelids, and the eye itself. In addition to examining the eyelids’ skin, an ophthalmologist may look inside the upper eyelid if the lump is in the upper lid.
Traditional treatment
- Hot compress for 5 to 10 minutes, 4 times a day to reduce swelling and promote drainage of the gland is highly recommended. We recommend a rice baggy or a gel type of hot compress that heats up in the microwave oven
- Anti-biotics – A prescription for antibiotic eye drops or ointments if a bacterial infection is suspected.
- Steroid Injection – in the area of the lump to help decrease the inflammation
- Surgery – If a chalazion creates lasts for weeks, it may need in office surgical procedure for removal. Suppose the swelling has lasted more than a few weeks or produces blurry vision symptoms. In that case, your eye doctor may recommend surgery to remove the chalazion. If the appearance of the chalazion is bothersome, surgical removal may also be indicated.
Recurring Chronic Chalazia
For people with acne rosacea, oily skin, or a history of chalazion- chronic recurring chalazion or chalazia can be very bothersome. They happen regularly. Most people have chronic dry eyes, blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Best recurring chalazion treatment- TheraLife
For recurring chronic chalazion due to meibomian gland dysfunction, a generalized abnormality in the oil glands should be considered. Long-term oral tetracycline or doxycycline can change the consistency of the oils produced by the glands.
Using hot compresses before sleep and cleaning the eyelid margins using an eyelid cleanser should be routine.
TheraLife treats dry eyes and chalazion, meibomian gland dysfunction at the same time
Inevitably, dry eye syndrome is involved in people with chalazion.
Therefore, dry eye relief in addition to chalazion treatment makes sense.
For the most effective recurring chalazion relief, try TheraLife Chalazion Starter Kit. This kit consists of 4 bottles of Theralife Eye, 1 bottle of Fish Oil, 1 hot gel compress, and 1 Avenova Hypochlor eyelid cleanser.
Keep your eyelids clean, healthy and restore your normal tear function all in one kit.
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Your next step to stop recurring chalazion
Call and talk to Dr. Yang toll-free at 1-877-917-1989 US/Canada. International (650) 949-6080
Email inquiries to [email protected]
References
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