Chalazion Excision
What is Chalazion Excision?
Chalazion excision is a minor surgical procedure to remove a chalazion, a painless, non-infectious lump in the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland. It is performed when conservative treatments fail to resolve the lump. In India, chalazion excision is conducted in ophthalmology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, typically as an outpatient procedure at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for patients in India to make informed decisions.
Why do you need Chalazion Excision?
Chalazion excision is indicated for:
- Persistent chalazion:
- A firm, painless lump in the upper or lower eyelid persisting >4–6 weeks.
- Failed conservative treatment: Warm compresses, eyelid massage, or antibiotic/steroid drops ineffective.
- Symptomatic chalazion:
- Cosmetic concern: Visible lump affecting appearance.
- Pressure symptoms: Discomfort, blurred vision (if pressing on cornea causing astigmatism), or irritation.
- Recurrent chalazia: Multiple episodes in the same area.
- Suspicion of malignancy:
- Rare; if the lump grows rapidly, bleeds, or doesn’t resolve, biopsy may be needed to rule out sebaceous gland carcinoma.
The procedure aims to drain or remove the chalazion, relieve symptoms, and prevent recurrence while minimizing scarring on the eyelid.
Why Do Chalazion Excision Costs Vary in India?
The cost of chalazion treatment (incision and curettage or excision) in India ranges from ₹20,000 to ₹80,000, influenced by several factors:
Procedure Complexity: Standard incision and curettage (I&C) costs ₹20,000–₹50,000, while larger or recurrent chalazion requiring surgical excision range from ₹50,000–₹80,000.
Hospital & Location: Private hospitals in metro cities (e.g., Apollo, Fortis) charge higher rates, while government hospitals (e.g., AIIMS) offer treatment for ₹5,000–₹20,000, often free or subsidized under schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced ophthalmologists may charge higher fees.
Additional Costs: Pre-op consultation (₹1,000–₹5,000), medications (₹1,000–₹3,000), and anesthesia (typically included in the procedure cost) can increase expenses.
Insurance & Aid: Most insurance plans cover chalazion treatment as a minor surgery or day care procedure; confirm coverage with your provider. Government schemes like Ayushman Bharat may provide free or subsidized treatment for eligible patients.
Chalazion Excision Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Clinical exam: Ophthalmologist confirms chalazion by appearance (firm, non-tender lump) and history.
- Slit-lamp exam: Assesses size, location, and eyelid inflammation.
- Rule out infection: Distinguishes chalazion (non-infectious) from a stye (infected gland).
- Blood tests: Rarely needed unless infection or systemic condition (e.g., diabetes) suspected.
- Medications: Antibiotic eye drops (e.g., erythromycin) if mild inflammation; no blood thinners stopped (minor procedure).
- Consent: Risks, including recurrence, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Incision and Curettage (I&C):
- Performed under local anesthesia (lidocaine injection into the eyelid), lasting 10–15 minutes.
- Outpatient procedure in a minor OT or clinic setting.
- The eyelid is everted (flipped) using a chalazion clamp to expose the inner surface (conjunctival side).
- A small incision (2–3 mm) is made over the chalazion on the inner eyelid (avoids visible scarring).
- The contents (granulomatous tissue, oily material) are scraped out with a curette.
- No stitches needed; the incision heals naturally.
- Excision (for larger/recurrent chalazia):
- Rarely, a full excision through the skin (outer eyelid) is done if the chalazion is large or recurrent.
- Small stitches (dissolvable) may be used; increases scarring risk.
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Chalazion clamp: Stabilizes and everts the eyelid.
- Curette: Removes chalazion contents.
- Slit lamp: Enhances visualization.
- Incision and Curettage (I&C):
- After Surgery:
- Observation: 15–30 minutes; same-day discharge.
- Eye care: Antibiotic/steroid ointment (e.g., tobramycin-dexamethasone) for 5–7 days; warm compresses to aid healing.
- Pain management: Mild discomfort managed with acetaminophen if needed.
- Instructions: Avoid rubbing the eye, makeup, or water exposure for 1 week.
Recovery After Chalazion Excision
- Immediate Recovery: Same-day discharge; mild swelling/redness for 1–2 days.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Swelling/Bruising: Peaks at 1–2 days, resolves in 5–7 days; cold compresses help.
- Pain: Mild discomfort or soreness for 1–3 days; managed with acetaminophen.
- Eye care: Apply antibiotic/steroid ointment 2–3 times daily for 5–7 days; warm compresses 2–3 times daily for 1 week.
- Activity: Avoid rubbing the eye, makeup, or swimming for 1 week; normal activities (e.g., reading) can resume immediately.
- Vision: Unaffected unless chalazion caused astigmatism (resolves post-removal).
- Follow-Up:
- Visit at 1 week to check healing; 4 weeks if recurrence suspected.
- Pathology (rare): If tissue sent for biopsy (e.g., suspected malignancy), results in 5–7 days.
Most resume normal activities within 1–2 days; full recovery takes 1–2 weeks. Success rate: 90–95% resolution with one procedure; 5–10% may recur.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (1–2%): Minor bruising common; rare hematoma may need drainage.
- Infection (1–2%): Redness, swelling, or discharge; treated with antibiotics.
- Scarring (<1%): Minimal with conjunctival approach; rare visible scar if skin incision used.
- Post-Surgery:
- Recurrence (5–10%): Due to incomplete removal or underlying gland dysfunction (e.g., blepharitis); may need repeat I&C.
- Eyelid deformity (<1%): Notching or asymmetry if excessive tissue removed; rare with experienced surgeons.
- Dry eye (1–3%): Temporary; due to altered meibomian gland function; managed with artificial tears.
- Rare:
- Malignancy missed (<0.1%): Sebaceous gland carcinoma mimicking chalazion; biopsy needed if suspicious.
Report increased swelling, severe pain, discharge, or vision changes promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes a chalazion?
Blocked meibomian gland, often due to blepharitis, poor eyelid hygiene, or conditions like rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.
Can I avoid chalazion excision?
Yes, 50–70% resolve with conservative treatment (warm compresses, eyelid massage, antibiotic/steroid drops) within 4–6 weeks; surgery is for persistent cases.
Is chalazion excision painful?
No, performed under local anesthesia; mild discomfort post-surgery for 1–3 days, managed with medication.
How soon can I resume activities?
Normal activities within 1–2 days; avoid makeup or swimming for 1 week; full recovery in 1–2 weeks.
Is chalazion excision covered by insurance in India?
Yes, often covered under minor surgery/daycare procedures; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Increased swelling, severe pain, discharge, or vision changes.
Will I have a scar?
Unlikely with conjunctival approach; rare (<1%) with skin incision, and typically minimal.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Maintain good eyelid hygiene (warm compresses, lid scrubs), avoid makeup for 1 week, use prescribed ointments, and attend follow-ups.
Conclusion
Chalazion excision is a safe, quick procedure to remove a persistent chalazion, with minimal downtime and a high success rate. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable, expert care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult an ophthalmologist for personalized guidance and optimal outcomes.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Chalazion Excision
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Ahmedabad |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Ajmer |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Aligarh |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Allahabad |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Amritsar |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Aurangabad |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Bangalore |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Bareilly |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Belgaum |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Bhopal |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Bikaner |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Chandigarh |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Chennai |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Coimbatore |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Dehradun |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Delhi |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Dhanbad |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Durgapur |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Faridabad |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Ghaziabad |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Gorakhpur |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Guntur |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Gurgaon |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Guwahati |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Gwalior |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Hyderabad |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Indore |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Jabalpur |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Jaipur |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Jalandhar |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Jamshedpur |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Jodhpur |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Kanpur |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Kochi |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Kolkata |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Kollam |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Lucknow |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Ludhiana |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Madurai |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Mangalore |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Meerut |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Moradabad |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Mumbai |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Mysore |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Nagpur |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Nashik |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Noida |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Patna |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Pune |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Raipur |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Rajkot |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Ranchi |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Surat |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Thane |
30,000 |
80,000 |
Vadodara |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Varanasi |
20,000 |
50,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
25,000 |
60,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.