What problems does a chalazion cause?
Lid appearance worries patients and parents most. Discomfort may be a problem, especially at first. Larger chalazia can press on the cornea enough to distort vision. In young children this can cause amblyopia, the vision loss which results when the brain begins to ignore the eye with blurrier vision. How is a chalazion treated? There are a variety of treatments which may be used, alone or in combination: • Warm compresses – use a warm washcloth over the eyes for 5 minutes, 3 times a day. The “Bed Buddy”, a sock-like heating pad which is warmed in the microwave, may work even better. Heat improves blood flow in the area and helps the body fight the inflammation. • Cleaning the eyelids and lashes – use Johnson’s baby shampoo, on a clean finger or washcloth, to clean the closed lids and lashes, eliminating harmful bacteria and removing crusts and debris. • Antibiotic ointment – use antibiotic eye ointment on the eyelids and lashes at bedtime for several weeks. In some cases ointment on th
