Dawaa Reference

Clinical reference

Chalazion (meibomian cyst)

Treatment options, dosing, cautions and Egyptian brands from the shipped Dawaa Reference card.

Evidence status

Checked against the sources named below

Sources2 sources

AAO Chalazion Preferred Practice Pattern · DailyMed Tobramycin Ophthalmic Solution 0.3% Package Insert (or UK eMC Tobrex 0.3% Drops SmPC)

Verified against2 documents
  • DailyMed Tobramycin Ophthalmic Solution 0.3% Package Insert (or UK eMC Tobrex 0.3% Drops SmPC)
  • Chalazion - disease-level clinical article (chalazion-clinical.txt)

Verified date2026-08

Presentation reference

Is it this?

Reference only, to read alongside your own examination.

Symptoms — what the patient reports (4)

  • A chalazion typically appears as a painless eyelid lump present for weeks to months before presentation
  • It can impair vision, cause discomfort, or turn inflamed, painful or secondarily infected
  • A history of prior similar lesions is common since chalazia recur in predisposed people
  • Acute vision change, pain recurring at the same site, fever, limited eye movement or diffuse facial swelling point elsewhere [facial swelling · fever]

Signs — what you find (3)

  • A palpable, usually non-tender, non-fluctuant nodule under 1 cm, most often on the upper lid, is typical
  • Chalazia sit deeper in the lid than a hordeolum, which is tender, superficial and centered on a lash
  • Everting the lid is part of the exam, done to look for an internal chalazion

Tests (1)

  • Diagnosis is usually clinical, with no further workup needed unless another diagnosis is suspected, in which case biopsy is considered

If not this — what else fits (4)

  • Sebaceous, basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma must be excluded by biopsy when there is clinical concern
  • Infectious mimics include blepharitis, dacryocystitis, herpes zoster or simplex, molluscum contagiosum, leishmaniasis and cellulitis
  • Benign mimics to weigh include papillomas, hordeolum, juvenile xanthogranuloma and xanthelasma
  • Tuberculosis and leishmaniasis have been reported as mistaken for a chalazion in patients from endemic regions

SourceStatPearls "Chalazion" - disease-level clinical article

Presentation findings are traced to the source above.

1

TOBRAMYCIN

1st line

Formeye

Adult dose and duration

In mild to moderate disease, instill one or two drops into the affected eye(s) every four hours.

Paediatric dose
Dose by age
Children aged 2 months and over:the same regimen as adults - one or two drops into the affected eye(s) every four hours in mild to moderate disease. The label gives a single dosing regimen and does not separate adults from children, and states: "Clinical studies have shown tobramycin to be safe and effective for use in children." Below 2 months it states: "Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 2 months has not been established."
Dose source

Tobramycin Ophthalmic Solution USP 0.3%, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION (DailyMed SetID 3c23234a-452b-40d0-922f-37e49147d537, Alembic Pharmaceuticals): "In mild to moderate disease, instill 1 or 2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 4 hours. In severe infections, instill 2 drops into the eye(s) hourly until improvement, following which treatment should be reduced prior to discontinuation." The same label sets no separate paediatric dose - see peds_note.

Why

Indicated only if secondary bacterial infection is present; primary chalazion is a sterile granuloma managed with warm compresses.

Cautions
  • Mainstay of therapy is daily warm compresses and massage towards lid margin; topical antibiotics do not penetrate non-infected granulomas.
  • Refer to ophthalmologist for incision and curettage if persistent >6-8 weeks or causing astigmatism.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
SWIXTOBRAM 0.3% EYE DROPS 5 MLCHEMIPHARM6.50 EGP
T GRAND 0.3% EYE DROPS 5 MLDELTA GRAND PHARMA7.00 EGP
TOBRAL 0.3% EYE DROPS 5 MLKAHIRA7.00 EGP
TOBRACTIVA 0.3% EYE DROPS 5 MLEPCI18.00 EGP
AVAZIR 0.3% EYE DROPS 10 MLORCHIDIA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES > ORCHIDIA28.00 EGP
TOBREX 0.3% EYE DROPS 5 MLNOVARTIS > NOVARTIS SCIENTIFIC OFFICE32.50 EGP
TOBRIN 0.3% EYE.OINT. 5 GMEIPICO23.00 EGP
AVAZIR 0.3% EYE OINT. 5 GMORCHIDIA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES > ORCHIDIA26.00 EGP
2

REFERRAL & SAFETY-NETTING (NO DRUG THERAPY)

1st line
Dose source

Chalazion - disease-level clinical article (chalazion-clinical.txt)

Why

Carries the referral criteria and warning signs for this condition, which apply whichever treatment is chosen.

Cautions
  • RED FLAG - Biopsy is required for recurrent chalazia to rule out sebaceous cell carcinoma.
3

DOXYCYCLINE

2nd line

Formoral.solid

Adult dose and duration

100 mg by mouth twice daily x 10 days

Paediatric dose

2.2 mg/kg/dose [child max 100 mg]

(Children and Adolescents: Oral, IV: 2.2 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours, maximum dose: 100 mg/dose.)

Dose by weight
3kg6.6 mg/dose
4kg8.8 mg/dose
5kg11 mg/dose
6kg13.2 mg/dose
7kg15.4 mg/dose
8kg17.6 mg/dose
9kg19.8 mg/dose
10kg22 mg/dose
11kg24.2 mg/dose
12kg26.4 mg/dose
13kg28.6 mg/dose
14kg30.8 mg/dose
15kg33 mg/dose
16kg35.2 mg/dose
17kg37.4 mg/dose
18kg39.6 mg/dose
19kg41.8 mg/dose
20kg44 mg/dose
21kg46.2 mg/dose
22kg48.4 mg/dose
23kg50.6 mg/dose
24kg52.8 mg/dose
25kg55 mg/dose
26kg57.2 mg/dose
27kg59.4 mg/dose
28kg61.6 mg/dose
29kg63.8 mg/dose
30kg66 mg/dose
31kg68.2 mg/dose
32kg70.4 mg/dose
33kg72.6 mg/dose
34kg74.8 mg/dose
35kg77 mg/dose
36kg79.2 mg/dose
37kg81.4 mg/dose
38kg83.6 mg/dose
39kg85.8 mg/dose
40kg88 mg/dose
41kg90.2 mg/dose
42kg92.4 mg/dose
43kg94.6 mg/dose
44kg96.8 mg/dose
45kg99 mg/dose
46kg100 mg/dose (capped)
47kg100 mg/dose (capped)
48kg100 mg/dose (capped)
49kg100 mg/dose (capped)
50kg100 mg/dose (capped)
Dose source

Chalazion (meibomian cyst) - disease-level clinical article (chalazion-clinical.txt)

Why

Oral tetracycline antibiotic when secondary infection or blepharitis is associated with a chalazion.

Cautions
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy and children <8 years (permanent dental staining and bone growth inhibition). Doxycycline 100 mg Capsules SmPC says, in section 4.2, "Doxycycline should not be used in children aged younger than 8 years due to the risk of teeth discolouration", in section 4.3, "Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy", and in section 4.4 that tetracyclines used during tooth development "may cause permanent discolouration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown)" and that "Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported".
  • Photosensitivity reaction; instruct patient to use broad-spectrum sun protection.
  • Take with full glass of water while standing to avoid esophageal ulceration.
Egyptian brands
Egyptian brandManufacturerIndicative price
FARCODOXIN 100MG 10 CAPS.PHARCO11.00 EGP (1.10/unit)
DOXY M.R.100 MG 10 CAPS.ADWIA12.00 EGP (1.20/unit)
GRANUDOXY 100MG 10 F.C. TAB.GLOBAL NAPI PHARMACEUTICALS > PIERRE FRANCE12.00 EGP (1.20/unit)
DOXYDOX 100 MG 10 CAPS.EIPICO23.00 EGP (2.30/unit)
DOXYMYCIN 100 MG 10 CAPS.EL NILE.30.00 EGP (3.00/unit)
DOXYCOST 200MG 10 TABS.PENTA PHARMA43.00 EGP (4.30/unit)
TABOCINE 100MG 10 CAPS.TABUK PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY > TABUK PHARMA46.00 EGP (4.60/unit)
VIBRAMYCIN 100MG 10 CAPS.PFIZER65.00 EGP (6.50/unit)

Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy.