Chalazion


A blockage of the oil-producing glands in the eyelid, which cause secretions to become hard and a bump to become formed. Chalazion in the eye can become painful, if infected.

Chalazion is a fairly common eye condition that is not usually very serious but which can be annoying and may affect vision if it worsens. People who suffer from the eye condition known as blepharitis are more susceptible to this eye problem.

A chalazion is a small lump that grows inside the eyelid. The lump can be found in either the lower or the upper eyelid and is usually reddish in color. Some chalazia are filled with fluids while others are not. Some are painful while others are merely annoying. Depending on their location on the eyelid and size, they may or may not cause interference with your vision.

Types of Chalazion & Other Eye Bumps

To better understand the chalazion, it may help to understand how they are different from other small lumps that can develop around the eye area. For example, chalazia should not be confused with styes, which are also small lumps that develop around the eyes. The difference is styes grow on, the eyelids not inside, the eyelids. A chalazion should also not be confused with a hordeolum, which usually begins as a chalazion that becomes contaminated by bacteria and forms something similar to a pimple near the eye.

Causes of Chalazion

The development of chalazia is closely connected the Meibomian glands. These glands are located in the eyelids and are responsible for the production of sebum. Sebum, which is also produced by oil glands in the skin, serves as a lubricant for the skin. Just like the oil glands in your skin, the Meibomian glands can become clogged or can become irritated through allergies, bacteria, or rosacea. When this occurs, the sebum cannot be released through the eyelashes and begins to build up within the eyelid forming the nodule under the skin.

As mentioned above, the formation of chalazion is more common in people with blepharitis, a chronic but common eye condition.

Symptoms of Chalazion

Unlike many eye conditions which are difficult to recognise without the assistance of an eye care specialist, a chalazion can be identified easily. You may not see it at first without looking closely but chances are you will feel the lump on your eyelid. As it gets larger, it may become more noticeable visually and will usually look very red compared to the rest of the area around your eye. In some cases, the spot may be tender or sore to the touch. This may also be one of the early signs of chalazion. However, it is more common to have discomfort with the lump if it has been infected with bacteria and has become a hordeolum.

Eye Test/Diagnosis of Chalazion

While the treatment for styes and chalazion may not be much different, an opticians examination can uncover the possible cause for the problem, particularly if you have been suffering from frequent chalazion. Most patients become concerned about the lumps if they do not go away on their own in just a few days or if they become sore.

If you want to know whether or not the lump around your eye is a stye or a chalazion, there are a few differences between the two. With a stye, you will notice its presence faster because it will usually cause swelling over a larger part of the eyelid, as well as noticeable discomfort. However, the stye will open and drain in approximately three days and often be fully healed in less than seven. With a chalazion, pain may not be present but the lump can continue to grow for a longer time. In some cases, the lump may become large enough to block part of your vision. Although most Chalazia heal on their own, they take longer to do so. It can actually take months for one of these lumps to drain completely.

The best way to know which type of eye lump you have is to see your optometrist. He or she can examine the lump and provide concrete advice on how best to treat the condition.

Treatment for Chalazion

For most chalazion, the only recommended course of treatment is the warm compress. The compress can be applied to the eye for about 20 minutes several times a day. Because the warmth increases the blood flow to the affected area and promotes faster drainage of the built up sebum, healing can occur much faster. The warm compress can also be soothing and may reduce discomfort.

If your eye doctor suspects a bacterial infection, he or she will probably prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. These may be taken orally or applied as a cream to the eyelid.

In some cases, these methods will not solve the problem. For those cases, the chalazia may need to be drained. In most cases an optometrist would use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the lump. They would then make a cut into the lump and remove the built up fluid from within it.

Preventing Future Chalazia

While some people only have this problem a few times, other people experience it at a chronic level. In those cases, eye doctors may also recommend some preventative steps to reduce the chances of repeat gland blockages. Medications, such as topical creams, may be recommended in addition to the continued application of the warm compresses. Regularly cleaning of the eyelids with a mild soap, such as baby shampoo, is also a good idea because this can prevent the blockage and can remove any bacteria that may be present on the eyelid.

While the development of a chalazion on your eyelids can be a nuisance, the lump will usually go away on its own, especially if you use warm compresses to speed up healing. However, if it continues to grow, shows no sign of reduction after a few days of treatment, or is causing you vision problems, you need to consult your optician and consider having the lump surgically drained.


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