Definition
Chalazion is a "chronic, non-infectious inflammation that affects the meibomian sebaceous glands along the eyelids, which is why it is also known as a meibomian cyst.
The chalazion can affect both the upper and lower eyelids; it can also be external, if located near the eyelash margin, or internal, if located near the conjunctiva.
If the inflammation involves more than one meibomian glands, then it is called chalaziosis.
Causes
Chalazion is an "inflammation caused by" obstruction of the excretory duct of the meibomian sebaceous glands. With the closure of the excretory duct, the secretion produced by the aforementioned glands stagnates inside them and accumulates giving rise to a cyst (better defined as lipogranuloma).
Initially, chalazion was thought to have infectious origins, a hypothesis that was later discarded. However, it is believed that the presence of a pre-existing infection may facilitate the onset of chalazion. In fact, it is not unusual for a sty (pathology caused by a "bacterial infection) not adequately treated to evolve into chalazion. Furthermore, it has been observed that in patients suffering from blepharitis, rosacea or eczema of the skin there is an" increased probability of onset of the same chalazion.
Symptoms
As mentioned, the chalazion manifests itself as a cyst (or lipogranuloma) which can be located near the eyelash margin, or inside the eyelid.
Symptoms that can occur in the presence of chalazion are: swelling of the eyelid, photophobia, blurred vision, eye redness, eye discharge and blepharoptosis.
In the initial stage, the chalazion could be confused with the sty, but - unlike the latter - it is not painful.
However, when the chalazion grows a lot, it can put excessive pressure on the cornea causing eye pain.
Furthermore, if chalazion is associated with a pre-existing blepharitis, small crusts can form between the eyelashes that cause itching and burning.
The information on Chalazion - Medicines for the Treatment of Chalazion is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Chalazion - Drugs for the Treatment of Chalazion.
Medicines
In some cases, the chalazion tends to self-resolve and heal spontaneously within 2-8 weeks, without the need to resort to any type of treatment. Eventually - to facilitate the healing process - hot-moist compresses can be carried out several times a day, in order to favor the drainage of the obstructed meibomian gland.
If the chalazion does not heal by itself, the possible treatments consist in the surgical removal of the cyst and / or in the use of steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids). The surgery can be accompanied by an antibiotic therapy to be carried out both before and after the removal of lipogranuloma, in order to prevent or counteract any bacterial infections. Finally, it should be remembered that to avoid the onset of serious complications - such as damage to the eyelid and infections - surgery should only be performed by a doctor who specializes in this type of operation.
Even if chalazion is associated with blepharitis, it may be useful to resort to topical administration of antibiotic drugs.
The following are the drugs most used in the therapy against chalazion and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his or her response to treatment.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can be used in the treatment of chalazion due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They can be administered topically in the form of eye drops or ophthalmic ointments, or intralesional injections can be performed.
However, it should be remembered that the use of corticosteroids should not be used in case of purulent ophthalmias, sty or viral infections, the symptoms of which may be masked or aggravated by treatment with these drugs.
- Triamcinolone (Taioftal ®): Triamcinolone is available as an injectable suspension for intravitreal use and can be used to relieve the meibomian sebaceous gland. The quantity of drug usually used is 0.05-0.1 ml, to be administered in a single dose. In any case, the doctor - if he deems it necessary - may decide to vary the dose of drug used.
- Hydrocortisone (Idracemi ®, Cortivis ®): hydrocortisone can be used both for the treatment of chalazion, and as a support treatment for surgery to remove the cyst. Generally, it is used in topical pharmaceutical formulations, such as eye drops and ophthalmic ointments.
The dose of drug usually used is two drops of eye drops, to be administered two or more times a day according to medical prescription. In case ophthalmic ointment is used, it is recommended to apply the drug 2-3 times a day, according to medical prescription. - Dexamethasone (Dexamono ®, Etacortilen ®, Luxazone ®, Visumetazone ®): Dexamethasone is available for ocular administration in the form of eye drops, eye gel and ophthalmic ointment. The dose usually used is one drop of eye drops or ophthalmic gel, to be administered in the affected eye 3-4 times a day, according to medical prescription. or three hours, according to the doctor's prescription.
Furthermore, dexamethasone is also available in medicinal specialties in combination with antibiotic drugs, such as chloramphenicol (Cloradex ®) and netilmicin (Netildex ®). These preparations can be used following the surgical removal of the chalazion, since - in addition to exerting an "anti-inflammatory action thanks to the presence of dexamethasone - they also prevent or counteract any bacterial infections thanks to the presence of the active antibiotic.
Antibiotics
As mentioned, antibiotic therapy can be performed in the case in which the chalazion is associated with blepharitis, or as a pre- or post-operative prophylaxis in the surgery performed to remove the cyst.
In the latter case, the most widely used antibiotic is chloramphenicol (Flogocyn ®, Sificetina ®) in the form of eye drops or ophthalmic ointment. When using the eye drops, the recommended dose is 1-2 drops, to be administered 3-4 times a day, or according to the doctor's prescription. When, on the other hand, ophthalmic ointment is used, it is recommended to perform three or four applications per day.
For the antibiotic treatment that must be carried out when chalazion is associated with blepharitis, see the "dedicated article" Drugs for the treatment of blepharitis ".
