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Suggest Treatment For Chalazion In A Child
Question: My son 22 months old has a chalazion in the lower eye since September. More than 2 months now. We showed it to an eye specialist who suggested hot compresses for a week and then since it didn't go off he said we will have to go in for surgery.
Since we were worried of a surgery through general anaesthesia at this young age, we consulted another eye doctor who is a friend who suggested we could try the hot compresses for some more time and see.
Now, since it has still not gone after over 2 months; the size has kind of reduced. Would like to know if we could just try the hot compresses for another few months and see or there are any harmful effects of it being there? Is it just for cosmetic reasons that the surgery is recommended? My son does not seem irritated by it and does not scratch / rub it. So it doesn't seem to bother him. It is also very small, smaller than a pea and is not very visible from the outside. Please let me know your suggestions.
Since we were worried of a surgery through general anaesthesia at this young age, we consulted another eye doctor who is a friend who suggested we could try the hot compresses for some more time and see.
Now, since it has still not gone after over 2 months; the size has kind of reduced. Would like to know if we could just try the hot compresses for another few months and see or there are any harmful effects of it being there? Is it just for cosmetic reasons that the surgery is recommended? My son does not seem irritated by it and does not scratch / rub it. So it doesn't seem to bother him. It is also very small, smaller than a pea and is not very visible from the outside. Please let me know your suggestions.
Brief Answer:
He can continue hot compression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history and the photo attached with the question.
As per previous doctors examination records and photo it confirms the diagnosis of chalazion.
Since it is decreasing in size and your son is not having any irritation or problem no need to be worried.
Surgery is done mainly to prevent recurrences and for cosmetic purpose.
In this case your son can wait and continue with hot compression.
Hope this answers your question and do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
He can continue hot compression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care Magic
I am Dr. Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I will be answering your question.
I reviewed your history and the photo attached with the question.
As per previous doctors examination records and photo it confirms the diagnosis of chalazion.
Since it is decreasing in size and your son is not having any irritation or problem no need to be worried.
Surgery is done mainly to prevent recurrences and for cosmetic purpose.
In this case your son can wait and continue with hot compression.
Hope this answers your question and do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Would you suggest any drops/ medicines that could help it go away soon?
Also, if no other problems persist and it does not increase in size how long can we wait till we have to decide a surgery? Can we just let it be for many months without removing it?
Also, if no other problems persist and it does not increase in size how long can we wait till we have to decide a surgery? Can we just let it be for many months without removing it?
Brief Answer:
You can wait till 4-6 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up.
A short course of antibiotic eye drops like Moxifloxacin eye drops, 1drop three times a day can be used for 1week.
If it is decreasing in size with no pain,irritation you can continue hot compression for another 4-6 weeks.
If it is not decreasing in size or having symptoms of redness, pain,swelling.... then needs to be removed.
Hence continue treatment for another 4-6 weeks.
If after 4-6 weeks it persists without pain depending on the size it can be removed. If it is too small you can wait otherwise it may needs to be removed.
Hope this answers your question and do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
You can wait till 4-6 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up.
A short course of antibiotic eye drops like Moxifloxacin eye drops, 1drop three times a day can be used for 1week.
If it is decreasing in size with no pain,irritation you can continue hot compression for another 4-6 weeks.
If it is not decreasing in size or having symptoms of redness, pain,swelling.... then needs to be removed.
Hence continue treatment for another 4-6 weeks.
If after 4-6 weeks it persists without pain depending on the size it can be removed. If it is too small you can wait otherwise it may needs to be removed.
Hope this answers your question and do write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have the following more questions:
1. How long does the surgical procedure take for a 2 year old...the doctor told us it will have to be done under general anaesthesia. Any risks involved?
2. he is having it since more than 2 months with no increase/ decrease in size really...hence 4-6 weeks as mentioned in your answer above will not make much difference.
Is it ok to just wait and watch for another 6-8 months if there are no other symptoms like redness irritation etc and increase in size?
1. How long does the surgical procedure take for a 2 year old...the doctor told us it will have to be done under general anaesthesia. Any risks involved?
2. he is having it since more than 2 months with no increase/ decrease in size really...hence 4-6 weeks as mentioned in your answer above will not make much difference.
Is it ok to just wait and watch for another 6-8 months if there are no other symptoms like redness irritation etc and increase in size?
Brief Answer:
Chalazion surgery takes around 5 minutes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Please find the answers below.
The chalazion surgery takes 5minutes and can be done under mild sedation or short general Anesthesia.
Waiting for another 4 weeks with hot compression will not harm further.
If it does not resolve it can become thickened and hard hence I prefer to remove it.
Hope this answers your question.
Please write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Chalazion surgery takes around 5 minutes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
Please find the answers below.
The chalazion surgery takes 5minutes and can be done under mild sedation or short general Anesthesia.
Waiting for another 4 weeks with hot compression will not harm further.
If it does not resolve it can become thickened and hard hence I prefer to remove it.
Hope this answers your question.
Please write back to me for further questions.
Thank you
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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