Medical Centric

CHALAZION

Men's Health, Women's Health / By

CHALAZION

A chalazion is a benign, usually painless, nodule or swelling that appears on the eyelid.

  • More than one chalazion may be present in an eyelid at the same time, and both lower and upper eyelids may be affected.
  • A chalazion can occur in one or both eyes and may disappear without treatment.
  • The term for multiple chalazion is chalazia.
  • Sometimes, a chalazion is confused with an internal or external stye.
  • An internal stye is characterized by a swelling inside the eyelid that occurs when the meibomian glands get infected. An external stye is characterized by a swelling on the edge of the eyelid that occurs when the area of the eyelashes and sweat gland gets infected.
  • While styes are usually painful, chalazia usually aren’t and may develop after styes.
  • If you think you have a chalazion, especially one blocking your vision, you should see a doctor.

CAUSES

A chalazion may occur following a stye or may be caused by a blockage in one of the tiny meibomian glands of the lower and upper eyelids. These glands produce oil that helps moisten the eyes.

The underlying cause of chalazia is inflammation or viruses affecting the meibomian glands.

Risk factors may include:

  • Chronic blepharitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Seborrhea
  • Acne rosacea
  • Viral conjunctivitis

In cases where chalazia are recurring or unusual, this may be symptoms of a more serious condition, but this is rare.

SYMPTOMS

  • Increased tearing and irritation
  • Painless swelling of the eyelid
  • Redness of conjunctiva
  • The heaviness of the eyelid
  • Tender eyelid usually none to mild
  • Blurred vision, if the chalazion is big enough to press on the eyelid

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

To make a diagnosis, the doctor will review your history to determine the presence of any health problems that may be contributing to your chalazion.

The doctor may take a close look at the lump on your eyelid and ask about your symptoms to determine if the lump is a chalazion, stye, or something outside of that.

TREATMENT

Many chalazia clear up on their own or may require minimal medical treatment.

Treatment options may include:

  • Applying a warm compress to your eyelid four times a day for about 10-15 minutes each time. This is done to reduce the swelling by softening the oils in the blocked glands and allowing them to drain. Before you touch the area, make sure your hands are washed.
  • Gently massaging the lump a few times per day or scrubbing your eyelids.
  • Prescription eye drops or eyelid creams
  • If these home treatments do not help, the doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection or surgical procedures, which are effective treatment options.

No attempt should be made to squeeze or pop the chalazion, as you may do more damage.

To prevent chalazia:

  • Always wash your hands before touching your eyes.
  • Keep everything that comes in contact with your eyes clean including contact lenses and glasses
  • If there is any condition that increases your chance of developing a chalazia, make sure you follow your doctor instructions to help control them.