Updated: Aug 3, 2007
A chalazion (Greek for hailstone) is a lipogranuloma of either a meibomian gland or a Zeis gland. When the former is involved, the lid nodule is characteristically hard and painless lid nodule; with the latter, it is marginal or superficial.
Lipid breakdown products, possibly from bacterial enzymes (as free fatty acids) or from retained sebaceous secretions, leak into the surrounding tissue and incite a granulomatous inflammatory response. The resulting mass of granulation tissue and chronic inflammation (with lymphocytes and lipid-laden macrophages) distinguishes a chalazion from an internal or external hordeolum, which is primarily an acute pyogenic inflammation with polymorphonuclear leucocytes and necrosis with pustule formation. However, one condition can result in the other because of their close proximity.
On clinical examination, the single, nontender, firm nodule (or, in rare cases, multiple nodules) is located deep within the lid or the tarsal plate, whereas a hordeolum is more superficial and is typically centered on an eyelash. Eversion of the lid may reveal the dilated meibomian gland and chronic inspissation of adjoining glands. With judicious pressure on the lid, the thick secretions can be seen extruding like toothpaste, resulting in tear debris.
Chalazia are common, but the exact incidence or prevalence is unknown.
No data about the prevalence or incidence are available.
Acute inflammatory exacerbation can result in a rupture anteriorly (through the skin) or posteriorly (through the conjunctiva), forming a granuloma pyogenicum.
No information about prevalence or incidence with respect to race is available.
Chalazia occur in all age groups.
Patients usually present with a short history of recent lid discomfort, followed by acute inflammation (eg, redness, tenderness, swelling). They frequently have a long history of previous similar occurrences, because chalazia tend to recur in predisposed individuals.
Chalazia are more common on the upper lid than on the lower lid because of the increased number and length of meibomian glands present on the upper lid.
Chronic inspissation of the meibomian secretions may be apparent as meibomian gland dysfunction. This condition is characterized by pressure on the eyelids that produces copious toothpaste-like secretions instead of the normal small amount of clear, oily secretion. Sebaceous dysfunction and obstruction elsewhere (eg, comedones, oily face) are the only associated features or specific general findings.
Rosacea is a frequent associated finding. When present, rosacea demonstrates very specific findings, such as facial erythema; telangiectatic and spider nevi on the malar, nasal, and lid skin; and rhinophyma.
Chalazia may arise spontaneously due to blockage of a gland orifice or due to an internal hordeolum. Chalazia are associated with seborrhea, chronic blepharitis, and acne rosacea.
Poor lid hygiene is occasionally associated with chalazia, although its causal role needs to be established. Although stress is often apparently associated with chalazia, it has not been proven as a cause, and the mechanism by which stress acts is unknown.
| Actinomycosis | Lacrimal Gland Tumors |
| Basal Cell Carcinoma, Eyelid | Melanoma, Conjunctival |
| Blepharitis, Adult | Molluscum Contagiosum |
| Cellulitis, Orbital | Nasolacrimal Duct, Congenital Anomalies |
| Cellulitis, Preseptal | Nasolacrimal Duct, Obstruction |
| Conjunctivitis, Bacterial | Neurofibromatosis-1 |
| Contact Lens Complications | Ocular Manifestations of HIV |
| Dacryoadenitis | Papilloma, Eyelid |
| Dacryocystitis | Pigmented Lesions of the Eyelid |
| Demodicosis | Psoriasis |
| Dermatitis, Atopic | Ptosis, Adult |
| Dermatitis, Contact | Red Eye Evaluation |
| Dermatochalasis | Sarcoidosis |
| Dermoid, Orbital | Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma |
| Distichiasis | Spider Bites |
| Floppy Eyelid Syndrome | Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Conjunctival |
| Hemangioma, Capillary | Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Eyelid |
| Hemangioma, Cavernous | Sturge-Weber Syndrome |
| Herpes Simplex | Trichiasis |
| Herpes Zoster | Tuberculosis |
| Hordeolum | Tumors, Orbital |
| Juvenile Xanthogranuloma | Xanthelasma |
| Kaposi Sarcoma |
Histology reveals a chronic granulomatous reaction with numerous lipid-filled, Touton-type giant cells. Typically, the nuclei of these cells are arranged around the periphery of a central foamy cytoplasmic area that contains the ingested lipid material. Other typical mononuclear cells (eg, lymphocytes, macrophages) also may occur around the periphery.
In the event of secondary bacterial infection, an acute necrotic reaction with polymorphonuclear cells may ensue. Destruction of the fibrocartilage of the tarsal plate may be evident. Foreign bodies (eg, embedded polymethyl methacrylate [PMMA] contact lenses) in the tarsal plate have been encountered in chronic chalazia.
Small, inconspicuous, asymptomatic chalazia may be ignored. Conservative treatment with lid massage, moist heat, and topical mild steroid drops usually suffices. Acute therapy with oral tetracycline (eg, doxycycline 100 mg or minocycline 50 mg qd for 10 d) minimizes the infectious component and decreases the inflammation, reputedly by inhibiting polymorph degranulation. Chronic therapy with low-dose tetracycline (eg, doxycycline 100 mg PO qwk for 6 mo) frequently prevents recurrence. If tetracycline cannot be used, then metronidazole has been used in a similar fashion. In most cases, surgery should be performed only after a few weeks of medical therapy.
Drainage by means of a transconjunctival incision and curettage is optimal. Establish anesthesia by means of a local infiltration, possibly augmented with topical anesthetic cream (eutectic mixture of local anesthetics [EMLAs]) to reduce the pain of the injection in young patients. With recurrent chalazia, it is imperative that a biopsy be performed, with histological evaluation using fat stains (specifically request this on the specimen) to rule out sebaceous cell carcinoma.
Referral to a dermatologist may be beneficial to help treat problems with rosacea or sebaceous dysfunction.
Dietary modification has not been evaluated.
Regular habits of sufficient sleep, moderate sun exposure, exercise, and fresh air may be of benefit to cutaneous health and hygiene of the skin and glands of the eyelids. Stress is often associated with episodes of recurrent chalazia, although a causal role has not been established.
Medical therapy is only rarely indicated, except in cases of rosacea, for which a 6-month course of low-dose tetracycline may be of benefit. Doxycycline in dosages of as little as 100 mg every week for 6 months may result in permanent biochemical change, with the sebaceous glands producing shorter-chain fatty acids, which are less likely than longer-chain fatty acids to congeal and block the gland orifices.
Although probably innocuous, topical antibiotics do not help this condition, which is not infectious. Systemic tetracycline may be beneficial, but local drops are unlikely to help and are more likely to cause a contact dermatitis-type reaction. Topical steroids can be helpful in minimizing inflammation and in reducing edema, thereby facilitating any drainage that may take place.
Antibiotics are not indicated as treatment of infection. Significant benefit may be derived from low-dose, long-term therapy with tetracycline.
Useful adverse effect is altering bacterial flora in skin and altering lipids to produce shorter-chain fatty acids, lowering melting point of sebaceous secretions, which may prevent blockage of meibomian glands.
250 mg qwk PO for 180 d (6 mo)
<8 years: Not recommended
>8 years: 25 mg/kg/d (10 mg/lb) PO qwk
Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy; can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants
Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Warn female patients about interaction with oral contraceptives and possible candidal infections; photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider determinations of serum drug levels with prolonged therapy; use during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines; alteration of normal bowel flora may result in insufficient endogenous vitamin K; may potentiate oral warfarin (Coumadin)
Inhibits protein synthesis and, thus, bacterial growth by binding to 30S and possibly 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria. Alters lipids to produce shorter-chain fatty acids, lowering melting point of sebaceous secretions, which may prevent blockage of the meibomian glands.
100 mg PO qwk for 26 wk
<8 years: Not recommended
>8 years: 2 mg/kg/wk; not to exceed 200 mg/d
Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; tetracyclines can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants; tetracyclines can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy
Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider drug serum level determinations in prolonged therapy; tetracycline use during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines
Adverse effect alters lipids to produce shorter-chain fatty acids, lowering melting point of sebaceous secretions, which may prevent blockage of the meibomian glands.
100 mg PO qwk for 26 wk
<8 years: Not recommended
>8 years: 2 mg/kg qwk
Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy; tetracyclines can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants
Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider drug serum level determinations in prolonged therapy; tetracycline use during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines
Taken orally, may benefit patients unable to take tetracyclines.
500 mg qd for a few wk
<12 years: Not established
>12 years: Administer as in adults
Cimetidine may increase toxicity; may increase effects of anticoagulants; may increase toxicity of lithium and phenytoin; disulfiramlike reaction may occur with oral ethanol
Documented hypersensitivity
B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals
Adjust dose in hepatic disease; monitor for seizures and peripheral neuropathy
Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, these agents modify the immune response of the body to diverse stimuli.
Advantages of Kenalog over other depot corticosteroids (eg, Celestone) are less discomfort and reduced cost. For inflammatory dermatosis responsive to steroids; decreases inflammation by suppressing migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and reversing capillary permeability. Used to minimize scarring and inflammation.
0.1-0.25 mL (6 mg/mL susp) injection, intralesionally
2.5-15 mg (10 mg/mL or 40 mg/mL solutions) injection, intralesionally
Coadministration with barbiturates, phenytoin, and rifampin decreases effects
Documented hypersensitivity; fungal, viral, and bacterial skin infections
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studies in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Needles inserted into eyelid can enter the globe, with disastrous results; dark-skinned (eg, African American) individuals may have focal and conspicuous loss of eyelid pigmentation due to intralesional corticosteroid injections; steroids may cause atrophy of subcutaneous tissues; steroid-responsive glaucoma may result from injected corticosteroids (unlikely)
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Mansour AM, Chan CC, Crawford MA, Tabbarah ZA, Shen D, Haddad WF, et al. Virus-induced chalazion. Eye. Feb 2006;20(2):242-6. [Medline].
Ozdal PC, Codere F, Callejo S, Caissie AL, Burnier MN. Accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of chalazion. Eye. Feb 2004;18(2):135-8. [Medline].
Rosas Vasquez E, Campos Maocias P, Ocha Tirado JG. Chloracne in the 1990s. Int J Dermatol. 1966;35:643-645.
Shiramizu KM, Kreiger AE, McCannel CA. Severe visual loss caused by ocular perforation during chalazion removal. Am J Ophthalmol. Jan 2004;137(1):204-5. [Medline].
Soil DB, Wisnlow R. Surgery of the eyelids. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology. Vol 5. JBL; 1999:56-9.
Wessels IF. Chalazion. In: Fraunfelder FT, Roy FH, eds. Current Ocular Therapy. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 2000:423-5.
Wessels IF, Wessels GF. Lidocaine-prilocaine cream for local-anesthesia chalazion incision in children. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers. Jun 1996;27(6):431-3. [Medline].
chalazia, hailstone, lipogranuloma, meibomian gland, Zeis gland, seborrhea, chronic blepharitis, acne rosacea, lid nodule, interior (posterior) hordeolum
Izak F Wessels, MB, BCh, MMed, FRCSE, FRCO, BSc, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Chattanooga Unit, University of Tennessee College of Medicine; Private Practice in Comprehensive and Surgical Ophthalmology, Allied Eye Associates
Izak F Wessels, MB, BCh, MMed, FRCSE, FRCO, BSc, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of England
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Jorge G Camara, MD, Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Director of Fellowship Training Program, St Francis Medical Center; Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Hawaii School of Medicine
Jorge G Camara, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD, Consulting Staff, Division of Oculoplastic, Orbito-facial, Lacrimal, and Reconstructive Surgery, Green Bay Eye Clinic, BayCare Clinic
Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Allergan - Botox Cosmetic Consulting fee Consulting; Quest medical - lacrimal balloons Honoraria Speaking and teaching
Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
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