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Definition

A chalazion is a small bump in the eyelid caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland.

Alternative Names

Meibomian gland lipogranuloma

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A 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.

SymptomsSigns and tests

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.

Treatment

A 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.

Complications

A large chalazion can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea. This will get better when the chalazion is treated.

Calling your health care provider

Apply 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.

Prevention

Properly 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.

References

Papier A, Tuttle DJ, Mahar TJ. Differential diagnosis of the swollen red eyelid. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:1815-1824.

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Related Questions

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.


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.


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 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 system does chalazion belong to?

A chalazion is a lump that forms in the eyelid due to the blockage of a meibomian gland, which is part of the ocular system. It is specifically associated with the integumentary system, as it involves the skin and glands of the eyelid. While primarily affecting the eyelid area, chalazia can also impact vision and eye health if they become inflamed or infected.


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.