Hypo-pigmentation after chalazion steroid injection

[ontheone]

I am panicking. I hope someone here can help me. I had a chalazion on my bottom eyelid. Had the surgery to remove the contents in the gland but it was unsuccessful. It came right back. Long story short, my ophthalmologist gave me a steroid shot in the lid which brought down the inflammation but left me with a very light spot. The hypo pigmentation is confusing to me because it is NOT at the sight of the injection. When I left the office I noticed a discoloration on the entire lid but this one spot did not go back to normal. My chalazion was right in the middle of the lid, and the discoloration is near the tear duct. I am in panic mode. Will I be left with this forever? I have a follow up next week, but it has been a little over a week since the injection and I am worried. Will it go away with time? Any information about the steroid injection and hypo pigmentation will be greatly appreciated. How did others who had this type of discoloration fair in time?

[Danigirl44]

I’m having the same issue please tell me that yours went away? It’s been about five years since you wrote this

[Lorena0052]

Did your mark went away?? I had the kenalog injection last week and now I have a light spot on my eye lid, it was usedto treat a chalazion.  The doctor said it might go away in 3 to 6 months. But I'm scared this is permanent.

[ontheone]

Yes it went away. Took about a month and a half. You will see it get smaller. Good luck.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

That is usually the case.

[ontheone]

Thanks

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[ontheone]

I read somewhere on the net that the color I am experiencing could be the residual steroid in the lid. They said the  skin here is very thin, and the steroid that is usually injected, kenalog is white.  If injected superficially you can sometimes see the actual steroid under the skin. This looks like what I am experiencing. It is a very small patch, but it scaring me bc I am wondering if this is true, will it or could the steroid that is laying there hurt my eye in any way? I also read that it will fade away but can take months. Any info you can give me until I get to my own doctor will be mostly appreciated but I am very nervous.
Thank you in advance.

[JohnHaganMD]

since I can't see it this is a matter for you and your doctor. Kenalog is a white depot steroid and can sometimes be seen under the skin usually in the area it was injected. Since you are so nervous call your surgeon tomorrow and get in.

[Bhv]

Did your mark go away??  I have the same issue and would appreciate your comments.  Following an incision and removal of a chalazion the surgeo injected steroid at the end to prevent it from coming back.  I have a yellow/white tint under eye now.  I'm Asian so worried it won't go away.  

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[ontheone]

Have you seen  the pigmentation in another site other than the injection site? Have you seen them disappear on people???

[JohnHaganMD]

Usually its just the opposite of what you describe. No spot in the week or two after surgery and hypopigmented spot develops over several months. So i have not seen what you describe. More common in dark skin.

[ontheone]

OMG this is scaring me.

[JohnHaganMD]

=

[ontheone]

how long does the steroid stay in the skin? Do they remain in the lighter area? Does one shot do damage to the health of the eye?

[ontheone]

Can you just clarify your last sentence to me -the steroid may migrate to the area of depigment what does that mean exactly?

[JohnHaganMD]

It means it may move from where its injected to a different place especially lower due to gravity

[ontheone]

the cortisone does not stay in the spot though does it?

[JohnHaganMD]

Ideally it does stay but as mentioned can migrate. Also depends on whether steroid is injection, suspension or depot steroid

[JohnHaganMD]

I don't think its possible to tell you if its permanent. Sometimes it is and loss of skin pigment is part of the known risks of steroid injection. If it is permanent skin cover usually disguises the spot quite well. The steroid may have migrated to the area of depigment.