Effects of Chalazion Excision on Ocular Aberrations

Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare higher-order aberrations before and after upper lid chalazion excision. Methods: Fourteen eyes from 12 patients (8 females, mean age: 28.7 ± 2.7 years) with upper lid chalazion were enrolled in this prospective interventional case series. Chalazia were excised by standard transconjunctival vertical incision. Ocular aberrations were evaluated by aberrometry (ZyWave) before and 2 months after chalazion excision. Results: Root mean square of total higher-order aberrations decreased from 0.67 ± 0.12 to 0.43 ± 0.15 &mgr;m (P = 0.012) after excision. The root mean square of Zernike orders in the vertical and horizontal trefoil and horizontal coma were decreased after excision. Orbscan IIz tomography showed a statistically significant decrease in 5 mm zone irregularity (P = 0.027) and an increase in minimum simulated keratometry after surgery (P = 0.046). Conclusions: Chalazion increases higher-order aberrations, as measured by the Hartmann–Shack aberrometer, which could affect the preoperative evaluation and results of refractive surgery, especially wavefront-guided approaches. Chalazion excision could reduce ocular aberrations and is recommended before refractive surgeries.