Effects of chalazion and its treatments on the meibomian glands: non-randomized, prospective observation clinical study

Abstract Background To observe the effects of chalazion and its treatments on the meibomian gland function and morphology in chalazion area. Methods This non-randomized, prospective observation clinical study included 58 patients (67 eyelids) cured of chalazion, including 23 patients (23 eyelids) treated with conservative method, and 35 patients (44 eyelids) with surgery. Slit lamp microscopy, infrared meibomian gland photography and in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) were performed before treatment and 1 month after the chalazion complete resolution. The meibomian gland function, the area proportion and acinar structure in the chalazion area were analyzed before and 1 month after the chalazion resolution.Results In patients with conservative treatment, the meibomian gland function parameters improved at 1 month after chalazion resolution compared to those before treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in meibomian gland functional parameters before and after surgery (P>0.05). According to infrared meibomian gland photography, after chalazion resolution, the area presented meibomian gland loss, there was no significant statistical difference between the proportion of meibomian gland loss at 1 month after chalazion resolution and the proportion of the initial chalazion area (P>0.05) regardless of the treatment strategy. The acinar structure could not be observed clearly after the chalazion complete resolution. Conclusions Chalazion will cause meibomian gland loss, and the range of meibomian gland loss is not related to the treatment method, but the range of the chalazion itself. Hot compress in conservative treatment can improve the meibomian gland function that chalazion located in short term.