Chalazion in Emergency Medicine Follow-up

  • Author: Jane Lee Fansler, MD; Chief Editor: Barry E Brenner, MD, PhD, FACEP   more...
 
Updated: May 15, 2012
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Advise patients to obtain follow-up care with an ophthalmologist if the chalazion does not resolve, has a recurrent episode, or additional symptoms develop.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Classic or typical chalazia do occur with more frequency in patients with immune disorders or acne rosacea and in individuals who have high UV exposure. Medical management of these medical conditions and limiting UV exposure by using sunglasses and hats can theoretically reduce chalazion formation.
  • Daily eyelid hygiene can help prevent ductal blockages.
  • Using antidandruff shampoo on the eyebrows can lessen the occurrence of skin particles causing blockages, especially in those prone to seborrhea.
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Complications

  • Potential complications of chalazia are cosmetic deformity and infection, including development of hordeolum or preseptal cellulitis.
  • Complications of improper drainage are disruption of lash growth, lid deformity, and lid fistula.
  • Visual disturbances can occur with large chalazia.
  • Recurrences of chalazia are not uncommon. Potential malignant causes of ductal blockage should especially be addressed in these cases.
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Prognosis

  • Most chalazia resolve on their own. Conservative management aids in the resolution.
  • Recurrences are not uncommon, especially in those with predisposing skin conditions.
  • Some specialists recommend biopsy and drainage of all chalazion, primary or recurrent. Specimens should be submitted for histopathologic examination.
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Patient Education

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jane Lee Fansler, MD  Resident Physician, Stanford University/Kaiser Permanente Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Jane Lee Fansler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Erik D Schraga, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mills-Peninsula Emergency Medical Associates

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sally Santen, MD  Program Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University

Sally Santen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David FM Brown, MD  Associate Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

David FM Brown, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Douglas Lavenburg, MD  Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Christiana Care Health Systems

Douglas Lavenburg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Barry E Brenner, MD, PhD, FACEP  Professor of Emergency Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, Program Director for Emergency Medicine, Case Medical Center, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Barry E Brenner, MD, PhD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Thoracic Society, Arkansas Medical Society, New York Academy of Medicine, New York Academy of Sciences, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Chalazion. Photo by Larry Stack, MD.
Chalazion with the lid inverted. Photo by Larry Stack, MD.
 
 
 
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