LUMPS, BUMPS, AND SKIN TAGS

Laser made it simple to remove these annoying lumps around the eyes. We typically do it on the same day of the visit, under local anesthetic, usually take 2 minutes to remove. The small black spots takes 1-2 weeks to disappear when new, fresh and healthy skin forms. Usually there is no after-care required. No sutures required and no drops and ointment needed after the laser in most cases. It is that simple!

XANTHELASMA

Xanthelasma (or xanthelasma palpebrarum) is a sharply demarcated yellowish deposit of fat underneath the skin, usually on or around the eyelids. While they are neither harmful nor painful, these minor growths may be disfiguring and can be removed with minor surgery.

Other lid masses

Laser Ablation Of Lid Masses

All the above masses can be removed in less than 2 minutes with laser. We freeze with a needle and blast the mass off with laser. No sutures are needed. No much of aftercare is required. The small black spot that is left behind after the laser will disappear within a week or two with the formation of new skin. The nice thing about the laser, is that we can preserve the lash follicles of the lashes that are passing through the mass. These follicles will allow normal lashes to go grow back without loss of lashes, which is common with normal surgical excision. The excellent cosmetic results, and the ease and the speed of doing the laser makes it possible to do these procedures on the same day of the consult. No follow-up visits are usually required. All of these advantages, makes it a one stop-shop to remove them.
The cosmetic nature of these lesions makes the procedure to remove them an out-off pocket procedure rather than a Medicare covered one. The cost is usually around $250, depending on how complex is the situation.
 

CHALAZION

 

What is a chalazion?

 

A chalazion is a swelling of one of the oil producing glands (meibomian gland) of the eyelid. It is a Greek word for a small lump. A chalazion can often be confused with a stye, which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. A stye is an infection of the lash follicle, a chalazion is an inflammatory reaction to trapped oil secretions. When a chalazion is small, it may disappear on its own. If it is large, it can cause blurred vision, discomfort and in some cases can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly (preseptal cellulitis), which needs to be treated with antibiotics. Occasionally if a chalazion has been present for a long time, it can cause a thickening within the structure of the eyelid, which can be difficult to treat.

 

How can a chalazion be treated?

 

Chalazions are treated with any of a combination of the following methods :

  • Warm compresses and massage : twice a day Soak the eyelids for 10 minutes with a hot washcloth or wrap a boiled egg /new potato in a wet washcloth (as it will maintain the heat for a long time). Be careful not to burn your skin !
  • Steroid injections: The steroid injection can work well if the chalazion is fresh and can be performed with topical anesthesia in the clinic. (OHIP Covered). You just need to pay for the cost of the medications which is around $30.
  • Surgery: The aim of surgical correction is to incise and drain the lump. It is a simple 10 minute procedure, often performed under a local anesthetic. (Not covered by OHIP except if it is medically indicated)