Eyelid Surgery

A chalazion is a nodule in the eyelid that sometimes persists following resolution of a hordeolum or “stye.” Chalazion and hordeolum are the result of inefficient oil glands in the eyelids. These glands produce the oil layer of our natural tear film. When these glands become dysfunctional, oil can back up and cause the glands to swell and become infected and painful. This is what we call a hordeolum or “stye.” Treatment often includes warm compresses and massaging of the lids to break up the oil in the clogged glands and improve the flow. In some cases the hordeolum will shrink and the tenderness will subside leaving a small nodule in the gland. This nodule is not an infection or tumor, however, the nodule may continue to grow in size to the point that it may require surgical removal.

Our physicians at Volusia eye are trained to recognize abnormal lesions of the eye or surrounding skin. Should you be diagnosed with an abnormal ocular surface or skin lesion, a biopsy of that lesion may be necessary to determine if there are any cancerous cells present. This procedure is done in office and in many cases, the majority of the lesion will be removed during the biopsy and sent to a pathology lab to analyzed. In the unfortunate event that the lesion is found to be cancerous, Dr. Routh is able to perform a complete excision of the lesion utilizing a real-time biopsy technique to ensure complete removal of all cancerous cells. This procedure requires a trip to the hospital where Dr. Routh will perform a brief surgery while the pathology department analyzes the tissue being removed. This gives him the ability to remove all of the cancerous cells while removing the least amount of tissue possible.