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A chalazion is a small bump in the eyelid caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland.
Alternative NamesMeibomian gland lipogranuloma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA chalazion develops in the glands that produce the fluid that lubricates the eye. These are called Meibomian glands. The eyelid has approximately 100 of these glands, which are located near the eyelashes.
A chalazion is caused by a blockage of the duct that drains one of these glands.
Symptoms- Eyelid tenderness
- Increased tearing
- Painful swelling on the eyelid
- Sensitivity to light
An exam of the eyelid confirms the diagnosis.
Rarely, the Meibomian gland duct may be blocked by a skin cancer. If this is suspected, you may need a biopsy.
TreatmentA chalazion will often disappear without treatment in a month or so.
The primary treatment is to apply warm compresses for 10-15 minutes at least four times a day. This may soften the hardened oils blocking the duct, and promote drainage and healing.
If the chalazion continues to get bigger, it may need to be removed with surgery. This is usually done from underneath the eyelid to avoid a scar on the skin.
Antibiotic eye drops are usually used several days before and after the cyst is removed. However, they are not much use otherwise in treating a chalazion.
Steroid injection is another treatment option.
Expectations (prognosis)Chalazia usually heal on their own. The outcome with treatment is usually excellent.
ComplicationsA large chalazion can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea. This will get better when the chalazion is treated.
Calling your health care providerApply warm compresses and call your health care provider if the swelling gets worse or continues for longer than 1 month.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if lumps on the eyelid continue to get bigger despite treatment, or you have an area of eyelash loss.
PreventionProperly cleaning the eyelid may prevent the condition from returning in people who are prone to chalazia. Cleaning the eyelash area with baby shampoo will help reduce clogging of the ducts.
ReferencesPapier A, Tuttle DJ, Mahar TJ. Differential diagnosis of the swollen red eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:1815-1824.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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∙ 12y agoA chalazion is a small bump in the eyelid caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland.
Alternative NamesMeibomian gland lipogranuloma
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA chalazion develops in the glands that produce the fluid that lubricates the eye. These are called Meibomian glands. The eyelid has approximately 100 of these glands, which are located near the eyelashes.
A chalazion is caused by a blockage of the duct that drains one of these glands.
Symptoms- Eyelid tenderness
- Increased tearing
- Painful swelling on the eyelid
- Sensitivity to light
An exam of the eyelid confirms the diagnosis.
Rarely, the Meibomian gland duct may be blocked by a skin cancer. If this is suspected, you may need a biopsy.
TreatmentA chalazion will often disappear without treatment in a month or so.
The primary treatment is to apply warm compresses for 10-15 minutes at least four times a day. This may soften the hardened oils blocking the duct, and promote drainage and healing.
If the chalazion continues to get bigger, it may need to be removed with surgery. This is usually done from underneath the eyelid to avoid a scar on the skin.
Antibiotic eye drops are usually used several days before and after the cyst is removed. However, they are not much use otherwise in treating a chalazion.
Steroid injection is another treatment option.
Expectations (prognosis)Chalazia usually heal on their own. The outcome with treatment is usually excellent.
ComplicationsA large chalazion can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea. This will get better when the chalazion is treated.
Calling your health care providerApply warm compresses and call your health care provider if the swelling gets worse or continues for longer than 1 month.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if lumps on the eyelid continue to get bigger despite treatment, or you have an area of eyelash loss.
PreventionProperly cleaning the eyelid may prevent the condition from returning in people who are prone to chalazia. Cleaning the eyelash area with baby shampoo will help reduce clogging of the ducts.
ReferencesPapier A, Tuttle DJ, Mahar TJ. Differential diagnosis of the swollen red eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:1815-1824.
Neff AG, Carter KD. Benign eyelid lesions. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO:Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 12.9.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/08/2010
Daniel E. Bustos, MD, MS, Private Practice specializing in Comprehensive Ophthalmology in Eugene, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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Would a chalazion be under the eyelid?
Yes, a chalazion is a small bump that can form in or under the eyelid. This bump forms because of a blocked oil gland.
What causes chalazion?
A chalazion is caused by a blockage in the outflow duct of a meibomian gland. Symptoms are inflammation and swelling in the form of a round lump in the lid that may be painful.
How chalazion should be differentiated from hordeolum internum?
A Chalazion is generally painless whereas a Hordeolum can cause considerable pain.. Chalazion is an internal stye, not an infection, slow growing hard, non tender round mass... where as hordrulom is an external stye, looks like a pimple and its an infection
What causes a chalazion?
The gland involved in the formation of a chalazion is a modified sweat gland that lies within the eyelid. This gland produces oil. When this gland becomes blocked, it can rupture and the inflammation process begins. A chalazion is not a sty. A sty can resemble a chalazion in the sense that it is also a lump in the eyelid. However, a sty involves glands and eyelash hair follicles that are closer to the skin surface of the eyelid. In addition, a sty is usually more painful and looks infected.
What does the term chalazion actually mean?
A chalazion is a small sebaceous cyst. Chalazions occur inside the eyelid when a Meibomian gland is blocked. They appear to be small swellings underneath the eyelid and cause inflammation.
What rhymes with Marion?
carry on, tarry on, chalazion
Can eyelid plastic surgery take away the fatty bad tissue from chalazion?
Depending on where the chalazion is located on the eyelid it most definitely can be removed during the process. If it is too close to the lashes, it likely would not work, since in the surgery the Surgeon removes the interior tissue. This also applies if the chalazion is too far underneath the brow. A video of this actual procedure is attached, but be warned it can be considered graphic by nature to some viewers. There is nothing overly grotesque about it, but it does show the surgery. This can give a person an idea of how the surgery could successfully remove a chalazion if in the proper location.
What size blade is used during chalazion surgery?
number 11 blade would be fine.
Can contact lenses be worn with a chalazion?
I highly recommend not using contacts while having a chalazion. It could further aggravate the infection. Apply warm compresses as often as possible. If it does not go away in a month, or obstructs your vision, or becomes painful, you should see your doctor right away.
What is the medical term meaning Inflammation of an eyelid?
Chalazion is small swelling in the eyelid from a backed-up gland.chalazionChalazion
Are there any herbal or allopathic medicines available on the market for a stye in the eye?
An eye stye can be treated at home by applying a very warm compress for about 10 minutes per time, 3 to 4 times daily. using a wet, clean washcloth on the tender area. This treatment will aid in the suppuration of the stye; suppuration refers to the forming of a head on an infection, and the heat from the compress speeds up the white blood cells to fight the infection. Your physician may prescribe the application of antibiotic drops or antibiotic cream for the stye. If you have frequent styes, the prescription of an antibiotic ointment will prevent their recurrence. == == == == A stye should not be confused with a chalazion, which is a different type of eyelid bump. Often mistaken for a stye, a chalazion is an enlarged, blocked oil gland in the eyelid. A chalazion mimics a stye for the first few days, and then turns into a painless, hard, round bump. Most chalazia develop further from the edge of the eyelid than does a stye. Although the same treatment speeds the healing of a chalazion, the bump may linger for one to several months. If the chalazion remains after several months, your eye doctor may drain it or inject a steroid to facilitate healing.
What treatment exists for patients with chalazion?
About 25% of chalazia will disappear spontaneously, but warm compresses may speed the process. Chloramphenicol ointment may be used as well. Because chalazia are inside the lid, topical medications are generally of no benefit.
