Chalazions are granulomatous inflammations of the meibomion gland.
These glands produce the lipid component of the tear film and
are deeply located within the supporting tarsal plate of the lid.
Chalazions occur when meibomian gland pores become clogged (such
as in blepharitis) — lipid backs up into the gland, and a noninfectious
inflammatory granuloma reaction occurs.
On exam, the patient will have a firm and mobile nodular bump
on their eyelid. When you evert the lid, you’ll often see the
chalazion bump more clearly. They are non-tender and are not painful.
Early treatment involves warm compresses, massage, and lid scrubs
in an attempt to reopen the meibomian pore and allow the material
to flow out. If this doesn’t work, we flip the lid and incise/drain
the chalazion from the inner eyelid surface. Some people are more
prone to developing chalazions and they tend to reoccur.
