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Chalazion excision improves corneal astigmatism, irregularity
Eur J Ophthalmol. 2009;19(4):521-526.
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Chalazion removal can yield positive visual and refractive outcomes and improve corneal regularity, according to a study.
"Chalazion excision can decrease corneal astigmatism and irregularity, which is more prominent in single, firm and central upper lid lesions," the study authors said. "These findings may have implications in pediatric patients at risk for amblyopia."
The prospective clinical trial included 253 eyelids of 228 eyes (195 patients). Patients had a mean age of 31 years (range, 7 to 71 years) and chalazia that were present for at least 1 month. Excision was performed through an internal or external approach.
The mean duration of presenting symptoms was 4 months (range, 1 to 24 months). Lesions were equally spread throughout the medial, central and lateral areas of the lids. Single lesions were found in 172 patients, and multiple lesions were found in 23 patients.
After chalazion excision, the mean change in best corrected visual acuity was 0.0004 logMAR and the mean change in spherical equivalent refractive error was –0.06 D. Corneal astigmatism changed a mean 0.34 D (P < .0001).0
"Corneal topographic analysis revealed significant changes in surface regularity index, surface asymmetry index and potential visual acuity after the procedure," the authors said.
Single, central and firm chalazia correlated more strongly to induced astigmatism than multiple, peripheral and soft lesions.