Meibomian gland lipogranuloma
A meibomian gland lipogranuloma is also known by other names, including as a chalazion and as a meibomian cyst.
A meibomian gland lipogranuloma is a cyst in an eyelid.
A more technical and detailed definition of a meibomian gland lipogranuloma is "a lesion of lipogranulomatous inflammation centered on a dysfunctional meibomian gland".
This may be explained simply in terms of inflammation due to blockage of the duct of a gland in the eyelid. That is, a meibomian gland lipogranuloma is the result of a swollen sebaceous gland in the eyelid, caused by chronic (long-term, peristent) inflammation following blockage of the gland's duct.
A possible root cause of a meibomian gland lipogranuloma is incomplete removal of eye-makeup, causing the oil from the cosmetic product(s) to gather in the glands. This condition is also relatively common in patients with posterior blepharitis.
Possible treatments:
- Topical antibiotic eye drops or ointment may be used for the initial acute infection.
- Surgical incision and curettage of the gland may be appropriate in some cases.
- Sometimes spontaneous resolution may occur, especially if the meibomian gland lipogranuloma is small.
Potential complications (if untreated):
- There is a risk that the blocked gland may become secondarily infected, resulting in irritation, pain, and discharge.
- A large meibomian gland lipogranuloma can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea of the eye.
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- A diagram of the eye
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