Chalazion

A chalazion is a swollen bump on the eyelid. It happens when the eyelid’s oil gland clogs up. It may start as an internal hordeolum (stye). At first, you might not know you have a chalazion as there is little or no pain. But as it grows, your eyelid may get red, swollen, and sometimes tender to touch. If the chalazion gets large, it can press on your eye and cause blurry vision. Rarely, the whole eyelid might swell.

 

Chalazion Symptoms

> a bump on the eyelid, sometimes becoming red and swollen. Occasionally it can be tender.

> rarely, an entirely swollen eyelid

> blurry vision, if the chalazion is large enough to press on the eyeball

 

Chalazia Treatment

1. Warm compresses

Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and hold it to your eyelid for 10–15 minutes at a time, 3–5 times a day. Keep the cloth warm by soaking it in hot water often. For a chalazion, this warm compress helps the clogged oil gland to open and drain. You can help the gland clear itself by gently massaging around the area with your clean finger.

 

2. Antibiotics

Your ophthalmologist may prescribe an antibiotic for an infected stye.

 

3. Steroid shots

If your chalazion is very swollen, your ophthalmologist may give you a steroid shot (cortisone) to reduce the swelling.

 

4. Surgery to drain the area

If your stye or chalazion affects vision or does not go away, you may need to have it drained. This surgery is usually done in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia.

 

If a stye or chalazion keeps coming back time after time, your ophthalmologist may biopsy it. This is where a tiny piece of tissue is removed and studied. This helps your ophthalmologist check to see if there is a more serious eye problem.

 

**Do not squeeze or try to pop a chalazion

Doing so could spread the infection into your eyelid. Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses while you have a chalazion.

 

Information from American Academy of Ophthalmology