Dr. Manjunath Natarajan
Ophthalmology (Eye Care)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I have a large (about the size of the average marble) hardball inside my lower eyelid. It started small in the middle of the eyelid and has grown significantly in a few days. It did not hurt, but it swelled so much in the beginning, and half of my eyes were closed all the time. I went to my local clinic, and they prescribed me Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, which has done nothing. My local eye doctor will not see me because they do not think it is serious, and they said to apply a warm compress to it as much as possible, which I have been doing, which has not helped.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
From your description of the swelling and the attached photo (attachment removed to protect the identity), I can tell you that you are suffering from a chalazion of your left lower lid. A chalazion is a chronic inflammation of the glands inside your eyelid, and as your doctors have told you, it is a benign condition. It will resolve in most treatments with antibiotics (such as Erythromycin) and with warm compresses. In a few cases which are non-resolving, we may have to treat it surgically by making a small cut and draining out the inflamed matter by a procedure called incision and curettage, although this is rarely required. I advise you to continue treatment as per your doctor's instructions and re-visit your doctor in case the swelling does not subside. I hope you get well soon.
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Ophthalmology (Eye Care)
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