what-is-chalazion : Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

A chalazion is a small, usually painless, lump or swelling that appears on your eyelid. A blocked meibomian or oil gland causes this condition. It can develop on the upper or lower eyelid, and may disappear without treatment. Chalazia is the term for multiple chalazion.

A chalazion is sometimes confused with an internal or external stye. An internal stye is an infection of a meibomian gland. An external stye is an infection in the area of the eyelash follicle and sweat gland. Styes are usually painful and chalazia usually aren’t. Chalazia may develop after styes.

What causes a Chalazion?

Small glands lining the edge of the eyelids produce oil that helps lubricate the surface of the eye (meibomian glands). When one of these glands becomes blocked, oil backs up inside the gland and forms a bump in the eyelid. If the gland ruptures, the oily materials can irritate the surrounding eyelid skin causing it to become red, swollen and painful.

Is a chalazion the same thing as a stye?

A chalazion is not exactly the same thing as a stye, although the terms are often used interchangeably. A stye, medically referred to as a hordeolum, is a bump in the eyelid that occurs when an oil gland becomes infected. It is like a small abscess or “boil” on the edge of the eyelid. A chalazion is an accumulation of material in the eyelid as a result of a blocked oil gland.

What are the symptoms of Chalazion?

A chalazion usually appears as a painless lump or swelling on your upper or lower eyelid. Chalazia may affect both upper and lower lids and can occur in both eyes at the same time. Depending on the size and location of the chalazion, it may blur or block vision. Although not as common, a chalazion may be red, swollen, and painful if an infection is present.

How chalazion diagnosed?

In most cases, a doctor can diagnose this condition by taking a close look at the lump on your eyelid. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms to determine if the lump is a chalazion, a stye, or something else.

What are the treatments of Chalazion?

Some chalazia can go away without treatment. If your doctor does recommend treatment, options may include:

Home care

First, do not try to squeeze the chalazion. It’s best if you touch it as little as possible.

Instead, you should apply a warm compress to your eyelid four times per day for about 10 minutes at a time. This can reduce the swelling by softening the oils in the blocked gland. Make sure you wash your hands before you touch the area.

Your doctor may also tell you to gently massage the lump a few times per day or to scrub your eyelid. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops or eyelid creams.

Medical treatment

If the chalazion doesn’t go away with home treatment, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection or a surgical procedure. Both the injection and the surgery are effective treatments.

The choice of treatment depends on several different factors. Your doctor will explain the benefits and risks.

How can Chalazia be prevented?

It’s not always possible to avoid getting a chalazion. This is especially true if you’re prone to this type of eye problem. But there are a few things that you can do to prevent this condition:

• Always wash your hands before touching your eyes.
• Make sure that anything that comes in contact with your eyes, such as contact lenses and glasses, is clean.
• If you have a condition that increases your chance of developing chalazia, follow your doctor’s instructions to help control them.