EyeLids
Chalazion
A chalazion is a small, usually painless, lump or swelling that appears on your eyelid. A blocked meibomian or oil gland causes this condition. It can develop on the upper or lower eyelid, and may disappear without treatment. Chalazia is the term for multiple chalazion.
Stye
A stye (or hordeolum) is an inflamed oil gland noted on the margin of the eyelid at the level of the eyelashes or in the midportion of the eyelid. It appears as a red, swollen nodule that resembles a pimple in appearance. It is sometimes tender in its acute presentation, especially to the touch.
What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between a stye and a chalazion.
A stye is very painful. It often appears at the eyelid’s edge, usually caused by an infected eyelash root. It often swells, sometimes affecting the entire eyelid.
A chalazion is not usually painful. It is a bump that usually develops further back on the eyelid than a stye. It is caused by a clogged oil gland. Rarely does it make the entire eyelid swell.
Treatment
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold it to your eyelid for 10–15 minutes at a time, 3–5 times a day. Keep the cloth warm by soaking it in hot water often. For a chalazion, this warm compress helps the clogged oil gland to open and drain. You can help the gland clear itself by gently massaging around the area with your clean finger.
Your ophthalmologist may prescribe an antibiotic for an infected stye.
If your chalazion is very swollen, your ophthalmologist may give you a steroid shot (cortisone) to reduce the swelling.
If your stye or chalazion affects vision or does not go away, you may need to have it drained. This surgery is usually done in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia.
If a stye or chalazion keeps coming back time after time, your ophthalmologist may biopsy it. This is where a tiny piece of tissue is removed and studied. This helps your ophthalmologist check to see if there is a more serious eye problem.
Doing so could spread the infection into your eyelid. Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses while you have a stye or chalazion.
Blephritis
Treatment
Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and wring it out until somewhat dry. Place the washcloth over your closed eyes for at least 1 minute. Wet the washcloth as often as needed so it stays warm. This will help loosen the flakes sticking around your eyelashes. It also helps keep nearby oil glands from clogging.
There’s also an electronic device that uses heat and massage to unclog the oil glands in your eyelids. The treatments are done in the office by your ophthalmologist.
Soak a clean washcloth, cotton swab (Q-tip) applicator, or lint-free pad in baby shampoo diluted in warm water. Then use it to gently scrub the base of your eyelashes. Scrub for about 15 seconds.
Your ophthalmologist may have you use an antibiotic ointment on your eyes. Gently apply the ointment to the base of your eyelashes.. Your doctor might also prescribe an antibiotic medicine for you to take by mouth.
It is very important to keep your eyelids, skin and hair clean. This keeps your blepharitis symptoms under control. Carefully wash your eyelashes every day with baby shampoo diluted in warm water. Also, wash your hair, scalp and eyebrows with an antibacterial shampoo. There are some new antiseptic sprays you can use on the skin that keep bacteria from growing too much.
Aesthetics
Wrinkles, frown lines, and loss of fullness in the face can make you look tired, less alert and older. At North Atlanta Eye Care we offer a number of injectable and filler solutions to soften and minimize age-related facial changes.We strive to provide individualized treatment plans to meet your specific needs.
DERMAL FILLERS
Dermal fillers are used to replace lost volume, making it possible to smooth lines and to soften facial creases. Specifically they can be used to smooth lines around the mouth and nose, restore volume to sunken cheeks and temples, and to improve facial symmetry.
There are several types of fillers which vary by composition. Two common types include hyaluronic acid (Juvederm) and poly-l-lactic acid (Sculptra). Hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body and is a soft injectable that lasts 6-12 months before being absorbed into the body. Poly-l-lactic acid is a synthetic collagen stimulator that causes the skin to rebuild collagen, thus smoothing wrinkles. The filler itself dissipates and leaves behind the collagen to reduce wrinkles. Its effect can last up to 2 years.
BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE A
Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable neurotoxin which can be used to reduce facial wrinkles.There are several different preparations, including
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.
When botulinum toxin is injected, it blocks nerve signals that make muscles contract. The muscles relax, reducing unwanted wrinkles and softening your facial expressions. This effect lasts about 3–6 months, after which the muscles move again and wrinkles come back.
The botulinum toxin is injected into certain facial muscles. This treatment only takes a few minutes, and can be done in the office setting. You will be able to continue your daily activities right afterwards.
About 3 days after the injection, you should notice some muscles starting to relax. After 1 week, you likely will see fewer facial wrinkles and lines. This effect wears off in about 3–6 months.