Orbit. 2026 May 25:1-8. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2026.2651956. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe large-scale epidemiological patterns of chalazia and assess treatment outcomes.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Clalit Health Services electronic medical record database, analyzing demographic data, medical history, treatments, procedures, and outcomes between January 2003 and December 2022.
RESULTS: A total of 611,993 chalazion diagnoses were recorded in 412,365 patients. Invasive procedures were required in 56,840 cases (9.3%). After topical therapy, 11.2% of cases progressed to surgical management (18.3% with neomycin/polymyxin-B/dexamethasone, 9.7% with chloramphenicol, 13.9% with tobramycin, and 7.1% with azithromycin). Those treated only with lubricants required intervention in 6.0% of cases. Differences across treatments were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Invasive intervention was age-dependent: 1.8% in patients <18 years, 8.1% in those 18-45, and 13.7% in those> 45 (p < 0.0001). Chalazion incidence correlated strongly with mean monthly temperature (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), with higher prevalence above 21°C (specificity 0.91, sensitivity 0.79, AUC 0.90).
CONCLUSIONS: Most chalazia resolve with conservative management. Age and climate significantly influence both incidence and treatment outcomes. These findings underscore the role of environmental and demographic factors in a chalazion’s clinical course and may guide more tailored management strategies.
PMID:42178961 | DOI:10.1080/01676830.2026.2651956
