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This guidance reflects and supports the revised Meibomian cyst policy which was produced and agreed in early 2018 and went live in April 2018.
The removal of a benign skin lesion, wherever it appears on the body is regarded as procedure of low clinical priority. Surgery to improve appearance alone is not commissioned.
Meibomian cysts (Chalazia) are benign, granulomatous lesions of the upper or lower eyelid which are usually self-limiting within 6 months.
There are referral criteria attached to this CRG.
Please note if your letter does not meet these criteria it will be returned to you.
A Meibomian cyst is usually self-limiting and rarely causes serious complications.
In order for this policy to be applied equitably, referral letters need to be clear that the following criteria are met. If not DRSS will be required to return the referral.
Incision and curettage of Meibomian cysts will be funded where the following criteria are met:
Recurrently Infected Cysts
Specialist assessment and treatment of Meibomian cysts will be funded when all three of the following criteria apply:
AND
AND
OR
Interfering with vision or protection of the eye by the eyelid
Specialist assessment and treatment of Meibomian cysts will be funded when both of the following criteria apply:
AND
In addition, specialist assessment and treatment of meibomian cysts will be funded when the meibomian cyst interferes with the protection of the eye by the eyelid due to altered lid closure or lid anatomy.
Recurring cysts
Meibomian cysts that keep recurring or have atypical features require biopsy to rule out malignancy.
Diagnostic uncertainty
Suspected eyelid malignancy should be referred for specialist opinion. Please refer to the provider directory of service for guidance as to which clinics these patients should be booked into.
Once it is established that a lesion is a simple Meibomian cyst and that it is not malignant its removal will not normally be funded by the NHS though a clinician may request exceptional funding. Clinicians referring on this basis should make the patient explicitly aware that removal of the lesion may not occur.
Children under the age of 10
Specialist assessment and treatment of Meibomian cysts will be funded for children under the age of 10 years due to the potential risk to visual development from cyst induced astigmatism. It may be appropriate to recommend 4 weeks conservative management (consisting of regular application of warm compresses and lid massage, 2 to 4 times daily) prior to considering referral, particularly in smaller cysts that are not interfering with vision.
Acute abscesses or infections at risk of causing cellulitis / periorbital cellulitis
Specialists have voiced concerns that meibomian cysts can become secondarily infected, rarely resulting in periorbital or orbital cellulitis. Patients with acute abscesses or infections at risk of causing cellulitis / periorbital cellulitis should not be referred routinely but should be referred in using the usual urgent care pathways for the local provider.
NHS Devon guidance for the management of referrals for Meibomian Cysts
Patients who are not eligible for treatment under this policy may be considered on an individual basis where their GP or consultant believes there is an exceptional clinical need that warrants a deviation from the rule of this policy.
Individual cases will be reviewed at the Restricted Treatments Funding Panel upon receipt of a completed application from the patient's GP, Consultant or Clinician.
Applications for consideration for funding approval should be sent to:
Email: d-icb.ifr-newsdt@nhs.net
e-Referral Service Selection
MyHealth Patient Information - Meibomian cysts
This guidance has been signed off by NHS Devon
Publication date: April 2018
Updated following consideration of NHS England Evidence-Based Interventions Guidance for CCGs: 28 May 2019
Updated: July 2023