getting water in the eye for up to 10 days after surgery. They may wash, bathe, or shower, but they must be careful to keep the area dry and clean. Makeup may be worn after at least one month post-operatively. People are recommended to not wear contact lenses in the affected eye for at least eight weeks to prevent infections and potential complications. Commonly, people receive eye drops to prevent infection and swelling in the eye and pain medication to help them cope with the pain and discomfort in the eyelid and eye. One can use paracetamol (acetominophen) rather than aspirin to control the pain. Also, after surgery, a pad and protective plastic shield are used to apply pressure on the eye in order to prevent leakage of blood after the operation; this may be removed 6 to 8 hours after the procedure. People who undergo chalazion surgery are normally asked to visit their eye surgeon for post-op follow-up three to four weeks after surgery has been performed. Chalazion surgery is a safe procedure and complications seldom occur. Serious complications that require another operation are also very rare. Among potential complications, there are infection, bleeding, or the recurrence of the chalazion. Steroid injection Because the inflammatory cells of chalazia are sensitive to steroids, intralesional or subcutaneous injection of soluble steroids, commonly 0.1 to 0.2 ml of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) into the lesion's center one or two times, is one option. The success rate is in the 77% to 93% range. It carries a quite small risk of central retinal artery obstruction, focal depigmentation in dark-skinned patients, and inadvertent ocular penetration. It is considered a simple and effective treatment option, one with high success rates. It may give the same results as surgical treatment (I&C). Larger, long-standing lesions are best treated surgically. Considering the surgical risks, steroid injection is believed to be a safer procedure in marginal lesions and lesions close to lacrimal punctum. One injection alone has a success rate of about 80%; if requested, a second injection can be given 1–2 weeks later. Carbon dioxide laser Chalazion excision using a CO2 laser is also a safer procedure, with minimal bleeding and no eye patching required. See also Stye References External links Disorders of eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate Wikipedia neurology articles ready to translate