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A chalazion often starts out as a very small, red, tender and swollen area of the eyelid. In a few days, it may change to a painless, slow-growing lump the size of a pea and can often be confused with a stye (or hordeolum), which is an infection of an oil gland in the eyelid.

A stye produces a red, swollen, painful lump on the edge or the inside of the eyelid and usually occurs closer to the surface of the eyelid than chalazion. If left untreated, a stye can result in the formation of a chalazion. Do not attempt to squeeze or drain the chalazion as it may require treatment for proper healing.

The best way to prevent a chalazion is with good hygiene.

• Wash hands before touching around eyes or removing contact lenses.
• Wash face at bedtime to remove dirt and makeup.
• Remove eye makeup before going to bed and replace mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow every 3 months.
• The doctor may recommend gentle eyelid scrubs to prevent chalazions from recurring.

When to seek professional help

If you have a chalazion that doesn’t go away with home treatment, see an eye doctor at North York Eye Clinic. They will be able to examine the eye and offer additional treatment options. You should also see the optometrist if you have recurring chalazia (eyelid bumps that come back).  Please call our office today at 647-352-5553 to book a consultation with one of our eye doctors.

Dermatochalasis is a condition that affects a significant portion of the population, and, while it most commonly affects middle-aged adults and the elderly, it can sometimes develop as early as 20 years old. Dermatochalasis is colloquially known as “baggy eyes,” and while the tired appearance caused by droopy eyelids can be cosmetically undesirable, the excess eyelid skin that causes the condition is potentially more problematic than a cosmetic concern.

A common misconception about Dermatochalasis is that it is the same condition as Ptosis, yet this is not the case. It is especially important to differentiate between the two when making a medical diagnosis, as treatment options vary. Ptosis is caused by a weakening of muscle that results in the upper eyelid drooping over the eye. Whereas, Dermatochalasis is caused by excess skin, fat, or muscle in the eyelid area. Both conditions cause a similar appearance, yet each requires a specific procedure to correct and therefore should only be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon.

Dermatochalasis can affect both the upper and lower eyelids, but the upper eyelid is usually most significantly affected. The excess eyelid tissue can impair vision and diminish the quality of life for those with the condition, as it droops over the eyeball and causes discomfort. The overlap of skin can cause other related conditions as well, including ocular irritation, eyelash interference, and inflammation of the eyelids and surrounding skin.

 While there are many temporary solutions to improving the appearance of those with the condition — including, oddly enough, transparent eyelid tape — these are neither cost-efficient nor practical. A permanent solution to Dermatochalasis is a procedure called blepharoplasty (commonly referred to as an “eye lift”).  Over hundreds of thousands of patients undergo this procedure annually. Blepharoplasty removes the excess skin surrounding the eye before then attaching the remaining skin to healthy connective tissue. 

A study conducted by the UK Department of Ophthalmology, the blepharoplasty procedure is a significant solution for those with Dermatochalasis. Results show that, “for those who had blepharoplasty alone, 90.9% recorded an improvement in points seen in the modified visual field test and 80.6% had improvement in visual field height.” That is, undergoing blepharoplasty significantly improves visual quality and, therefore, quality of life, for those with this condition.

If your Dermatochalasis has progressed to the degree of impairing your vision, then OHIP will likely cover the costs since it is deemed medically necessary. However, keep in mind that if you seek to undergo the procedure for cosmetic reasons you will be required to pay out-of-pocket, either in part or in whole. Despite this consideration, it is worthwhile to consider Blepharoplasty, as it is proven to significantly improve the quality of life for those who suffer from Dermatochalasis.

Please call our office today at 647-352-5553 to book a consultation with one of our eye doctors.