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Chalazion

Chalzion 
"Stye"

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.

Medical Treatment

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.

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Cleaning the eyelids with baby shampoo one to two times per day to treat any underlying blepharitis or inflammation of the eyelids can help as well.  

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Don’t wear eye makeup while you have a chalazion. After the chalazion drains, keep the area clean.

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If warm compresses do not work for 4-6 weeks you will likely need surgical management.  

Surgical Treatment

Steroid injection:

A steroid can be injected into the lesion which can help the chalazion resolve.  Side effect from the injection include de-pigmentation of the skin, bleeding, bruising, swelling, and persistent chalszion.  

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Incision to drain the area:

A small incision can be made in the eyelid to drain the chalazion.  This can significantly improve the chalazion but warm compresses will be necessary to prevent them from coming back. Risk to this procedure are similar to that on a steroid injection.  

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For persistent chalazions a biopsy may need to be taken.  

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