AIM: To investigate the difference of corneal higher-order aberrations and corneal diopter before and after chalazion resection.

METHODS: A total of 49 patients(49 eyes)with unilateral upper eyelid chalazion who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected for prospective study. They were divided into two groups according to the size of the cyst, with 24 patients(24 eyes)in 3-5mm group and 25 patients(25 eyes)in >5mm group. The total higher-order aberrations, coma, trefoil, spherical aberrations, corneal SimK values, and horizontal axis astigmatism(Minimum SimK)and steep axis astigmatism(Maximum SimK)of the cornea before and at 2mo after the resection of the chalazion with a diameter of 6mm were measured by Sirius anterior segment analysis system.

RESULTS: The total higher-order aberrations, trefoil and coma aberrations of the patients in the >5mm group at 2mo after operation were statistically significant compared with those before operation(P<0.05), while the spherical aberrations were not statistically significant(P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the 3-5mm group in the comparison between the Maximum SimK value and the Minimum SimK value before and after the operation(P>0.05), while the difference was statistically significant in the >5mm group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The corneal higher-order aberrations, especially trefoil and coma aberration, and astigmatism of large chalazion after surgical treatment are significantly reduced. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with chalazion, especially those with lesions larger than 5mm, should resect the chalazion before detailed refractive examination.