Description
A chalazion is a granuloma in the eyelid that develops due to the retention of
meibomian gland secretion (Fig 1). The granuloma contains various inflammatory
cells, including epithelioid and giant cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and
lymphocytes. The condition affects people of all ages and is one of the common
eye diseases managed by non-ophthalmologists. A chalazion presents as a mass
in the eyelid, causing cosmetic disfigurement and discomfort. Larger-sized
chalazia may cause ptosis and refractive error. Treatment includes the use of
warm compresses and careful lid hygiene,1 intralesional steroid injection,2-4 and
incision and curettage. Treatment with warm compresses and lid hygiene relies
on patient motivation and compliance, while incision and curettage is a relatively
painful procedure and may require general anaesthesia in children. Intralesional
steroid injection can be performed using the transconjunctival route or the
percutaneous route. It may be technically difficult for a non-ophthalmologist to
evert the eyelid and to pass the needle through the tarsal
plate into the chalazion. This difficulty is increased in the
treatment of paediatric patients. In the authors’ experience,
many patients respond well even if the steroid is not injected
directly into the chalazion. A prospective pilot study
investigating the efficacy of extralesional steroid injection
using the percutaneous route as treatment for chalazion was
conducted.