What long-term measures help prevent chalazion recurrence?

• A. Continue warming mask and lid scrubs long term
• B. Stop all eyelid hygiene
• C. Use only artificial tears
• D. Avoid blinking

Answer: (A)

Chalazion recurrence is driven by ongoing meibomian gland dysfunction and lid-margin inflammation that keep glands blocked. Regular warmth helps keep the gland orifices pliable and the lipid secretions less viscous, making spontaneous expression easier. Lid hygiene, including lid scrubs, removes crusts and reduces bacterial load and inflammatory mediators at the lid margin, which lowers the chance of re-blockage. Keeping these measures as a long-term routine maintains gland patency and reduces recurrence risk. Stopping eyelid hygiene would allow blepharitis and blockages to flare up, and relying only on artificial tears doesn’t address the gland obstruction. Avoiding blinking would worsen tear film stability and gland expression, not prevent recurrence.