Chalazion Stye Ocular Rosacea Antibiotic Eye Drop

Written by David Pascoe on April 2, 2008 with 0 Comments

From: Tess Snider
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 1999 22:49:28

> From the posts it sounds as if a lot of us are having non rosacea health
problems at the moment and I’m afraid I’ve just joined the group. For the past three weeks I have had a swollen droopy eye lid which I have basically ignored. However I saw my GP this morning and I am seeing an Ophthalmologist tomorrow. (I can’t tell you how rare it is in UK to get an immediate referral to a consultant) I drive with the air conditioning on full blast on my face and I wonder if I have damaged my eye lid? Has anybody else had this problem?

Okay, press your fingertips against your eyelid, gently. Does it feel like there is a lump inside of your lid? If so, what you have is probably a chelazion.

Chalazions are fairly common among those who suffer from ocular rosacea. Your typical health encyclopedia will tell you that they’re often the result of poor nutrition and/or hygiene, but that really doesn’t apply in the case of rosaceans, so don’t start rethinking your life over one little unhappy eyelid. Your air conditioning probably had nothing to do with this, either.

A chelazion (also called a “stye”) is just a clogged up little bit of eyelid. It’s like a type of sebaceous cyst, and your immediate home treatment should be the same: Apply warm compresses to it. The easiest way I have found to do this is to take an old washcloth (with no synthetic materials in it!), and wet it down with hot water from your tap. When it cools, shove it in the microwave for a few seconds. I’ve never gotten one to go away this way, but it seems to soften it up a little, which may help it reabsorb or drain.

Ultimately, you want to see your doctor. If you have a chelazion, he or she will probably prescribe some antibiotic eye drops.

Chelazions aren’t particularly dangerous, and sometimes they go away on their own, but early treatment can be VERY important. If it sticks around too long, and you can’t get it to go away, that means surgery, and take my word on it: The surgery involved in removing a chelazion is no fun!

Tess Snider