Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Healing after chalazion incision and drainage is quick. There is usually some bruising and swelling of the
eyelid that peaks at about 48 hours and then settles over around five days. Most people are
back to work and driving after about five days, and can wear contact lenses and eye make-up
again after two weeks, once the inner surface of the eyelid has fully healed. Because the incision is usually
made on the inside of the eyelid, there is no visible scar and no stitches to remove. Here is the full timeline and how
to look after it.
The Healing Timeline
- Day of the procedure: a soft eye patch stays on, which you remove yourself after 24 hours.
- First 48 hours: bruising and swelling build up and reach their peak. The thin eyelid skin can make bruising look more dramatic than it is.
- By about 5 days: the bruising and swelling settle, and most people return to work and driving.
- At 2 weeks: the inner surface of the eyelid has healed, so contact lenses and eye make-up can be used again.
Once the blocked gland is cleared, the lump resolves and the eyelid returns to its normal shape. The full procedure is in our complete guide to chalazion removal.
“I recently visited London Skin Clinic for the removal of a chalazion and I couldn’t be more pleased with the entire
experience. The staff were warm, professional and reassuring.”Erick G., verified Google review
Aftercare on the Day and After
After the procedure, chloramphenicol antibiotic ointment is applied to the wound and a soft eye patch
(jelonet and gauze) is placed, which you take off after 24 hours. A useful thing to expect: the ointment
can cause temporary blurred vision for a short time after each application. This is normal and always
clears once you stop using it, so plan not to drive immediately after applying it. Keep the area clean, and avoid rubbing
the eye while it heals.
When to Seek Help
Some bruising, swelling and the temporary blurring from the ointment are all expected. Seek help promptly, however, if
you have increasing pain, increasing swelling, or spreading redness of the eyelid. During office hours,
call the clinic; out of hours, attend your local A&E, as these signs need to be checked without delay.
Will It Come Back?
Most chalazia do not return once drained, but about one in ten recur and need a further procedure. Good
day-to-day lid hygiene, warm compresses if you feel another forming, and managing any underlying
blepharitis or rosacea, all help reduce the chance. A lump that keeps coming back in exactly the same
spot should be assessed rather than simply drained again.
Common Questions
- How long does a chalazion take to heal after drainage?
- Quickly. Bruising and swelling peak at about 48 hours and settle over around five days, when most people return to work and driving. Contact lenses and eye make-up can be used again after two weeks.
- How long do I keep the eye patch on?
- The soft eye patch stays on for 24 hours, then you remove it yourself. Chloramphenicol ointment is used on the wound and can briefly blur your vision, which clears once you stop it.
- When can I wear make-up and contact lenses again?
- After two weeks, once the inner surface of the eyelid has fully healed.
- Are there stitches to remove?
- Usually not. The incision is normally made on the inside of the eyelid and needs no stitches; dissolvable stitches are only used in the rare case of an external skin incision.
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