Chazalion / eyelid cyst removal

[LimitIsUp]

Has anyone successfully had one of these removed by the NHS? DS has had a chazalion for 3 years - GP initially said use hot compresses, we did and nothing happened. Requested a second appointmentment and GP said to continue (sigh). Of course it didn't work. Flirted with private treatment but ds was under 18 and local private hospitals wouldn't do Paeds.

Just rang private hospital (now he is over 18) and the cost is £1250 including initial consultation. We would be self funding. Its a tad too much.

Meanwhile, whilst this chazalion isn't infected or affecting vision, its unsightly and ds is self conscious about it. Has anyone managed to get their GP to refer them to the local hospital for removal?

How much! That's ridiculous.

I'd email a few other clinics, it should be closer to £400-£500 max

And no, you won't get that done on the NHS unless it's enormous and causing blurred vision or scratching the cornea.

I thought as much. I'd better shop around.

Consultants are so greedy

DH had an eyelid cyst removed a couple of years ago. The GP wouldn't refer him as it wasn't affecting his sight.

He had it down at a private hospital for about £350.

Like everything prices have gone up

I contacted another private hospital and they said £200 initial consultation and then hosp charges £250 for removal with consultant charging a fee on top which depends upon what they decide. So £450 plus consultants fee for the procedure

i’m Not sure you need the initial appointment though. If you go straight to the consultant’s secretary ask what you need in way of referral just to have the op. See if a referral from either your optician or doctor will do.
the procedure literally takes a few minutes!

I had mine removed a few years ago. But if i remember correctly it was because it kept getting infected over and over again.

I had an eyelid cyst removed on the nhs last week. Mine was a cyst of Moll. Saw the GP and referred to the local hospital within a few weeks. The procedure took about 15 mins. Mine wasn't really causing any problems, I have had it for years and it was unsightly

Now that's interesting

I do have a GP appointment booked for him next week so I can ask the question re NHS referral. They may be sympathetic as he has had it so bloody long.

If not we'll have to suck up the costs of the private route

I will put that question to them @underneaththeash - why do I need to spend £200 for them to say 'that's an eyelid cyst it needs removing'

How did you get on with your enquiries @LimitIsUp .

I have a chalazion on my lower lid and it is really red and inflamed. Or at least I thought so, but the GP didn't seem bothered and said antibiotic eye drops don't work so I should just continue hot compresses and massage. Massage irritates it though. I don't know whether to go back and make a fuss or not.

Also I thought 6 months might be a trigger point for the GP being allowed to refer to opthalmologist and get surgery, but is that not the case? If not then I am tempted to just get it removed privately now. What is the point of waiting months for referral only to be told no?

Shop around if you can. I had one removed privately last year and the consultant's charge was £400 plus £260 hospital charge (it was at an NHS hospital). I went directly to the consultant rather than through a private hospital and there were no additional charges. Hope you get it sorted soon, they are miserable to live with.

I went and saw a different GP today as it is so sore and inflamed and they have given me oral antibiotics which is some progress. However, they cautioned that it might not work as it might just be inflamed but not infected. And if that it the case, they still wouldn't be able to refer as it isn't affecting vision or my eyelid closing, and I haven't had it for it six months. This really makes me angry - it's massive and red and sore, but because I don't fit the criteria there is nothing else they would be able to do?

@Tiredpigeon how did you find the consultant?

My husband is currently going through this. Not sure on cost entirely as it's through work. There is anaesthetic involved though so that may push it up. His is just inside the eyelid. GP has been useless. Specialist advised the hot but dry compress and tea tree which has helped a bit so he has delayed his op.

Hi, how did you get on please? I’m in the same boat and it’s so irritated and painful 😞

@Emdubz I got it sorted privately about 6 weeks ago. It did discharge partially through the skin in February, but was still really large and nothing had changed by May. The inflammation (or I guess the "walls" of the cyst) haven't gone completely yet, but are gradually going down. I'm really glad I had it done - the opthalmologist I saw said that it would eventually resolve itself if left untreated, but that "for a cyst of that size it would take a long time". I hope you get yours sorted soon.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I have been given antibiotic cream which is only making my eye itch. The GP said I could be given oral antibiotics next to reduce the redness and inflammation but pretty much said it’s a case of waiting it out but every morning I have fluid like a large under eye bag and the lump itself is still really painful. I’m due an eye test at the opticians and am hoping they might offer some additional advice.

The antibiotics didn't do anything for me unfortunately. I also saw an optician who was a bit concerned and even offered to write a letter to the GP, but that was before he realised that the guidelines had changed from 3 - 6 months before referral.

I will say that mine had settled down in that it was still very big, but not as painful. I still wanted rid of it though.

Yes I don’t think antibiotics will help to be honest as I think it’s inflammation rather than infection. It sounds like I’ll have to see how it goes then get it dealt with privately if it doesn’t resolve itself. How can something so small he so irritating and painful! I just want it gone!

@twotoedsloth @Emdubz @Pearfacebanana @underneaththeash @LimitIsUp @CraftyGin bringing this thread back to life as currency have a 5 month old chalazion and starting to think I might have to go private to have it removed - did any of you/your husbands have it removed in London? Can you recommend an ophthalmologist, please?

am using Maxitrol and doing the compress/massage but not holding my breath so looking for removal options

I'm not in London but I checked the consultants at my local hospital then googled them to see which ones had private practice. I found one I was happy with, contacted his secretary and booked in. I wouldn't bother going through Nuffield or Bupa unless you can't find someone, as it came out more expensive.

My son saw an ophthalmologist privately, was booked in for surgery a month later and the cyst resolved before the operation date!