Triamcinolone for Chalazia

Ben Simon et al’s report1Ben Simon G.J. Huang L. Nakra T. et al.Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide injection for primary and recurrent chalazia is it really effective?.Ophthalmology. 2005; 112: 913-917Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (58) Google Scholar reiterates Pizzarello et al’s.2Pizzarello L.D. Jakobiec F.A. Hofeldt A.J. et al.Intralesional corticosteroid therapy of chalazia.Am J Ophthalmol. 1978; 85: 818-821Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar Inclusion of a control group (injection of a placebo or waiting for spontaneous resolution) would have allowed greater confidence in the conclusions. The current study does not state the methodology used for measuring the size of the lesion before and after injection, even though it was one of the main outcome measures. The authors do not comment specifically on the outcome of treating large or multiple cysts. Chalazia of soft to firm consistency respond well to intralesional steroid injection, but hard chalazia of long duration are not suitable for this form of therapy because of fibrosis and hyalinization.3Dua H.S. Nilawar D.V. Nonsurgical therapy of chalazion.Am J Ophthalmol. 1982; 94 ([letter]): 424-425PubMed Google Scholar The authors comment on good patient satisfaction without any mention of how they had drawn such a conclusion through their results. Above all, we strongly feel that the article is misleading by suggesting that intralesional steroids be considered for recurrent chalazion management, which is against the traditional teaching of performing a biopsy for such recurrent cysts. Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection for Primary and Recurrent Chalazia: Is It Really Effective?OphthalmologyVol. 112Issue 5PreviewTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection in primary and recurrent chalazia. Full-Text PDF Author ReplyOphthalmologyVol. 113Issue 5PreviewWe thank Dr Sandramouli and Mr Gonglore for their letter. We agree that there are limitations in a retrospective study. Full-Text PDF