A chalazion is a harmless cyst in the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland, one of the glands that make oil to keep the eye moist. Moorfields Eye Hospital says the oil builds up into a small lump, which can become irritated and red and occasionally infected.
Chalazions tend to last a few weeks, are typically not painful, do not affect your sight, and can often be treated at home.
Chalazion vs stye
| Stye | Chalazion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Usually painful and sore | Typically painless |
| Cause | Infection in a hair follicle or oil gland | A blocked oil gland |
Treatment
Many chalazions can be treated at home with warm compresses and eyelid cleaning. A doctor may occasionally prescribe antibiotic ointment or drops for irritation, or antibiotics by mouth if infection spreads, though Moorfields notes medicine does not make the cyst disappear. If a large cyst does not respond, it can be drained under local anaesthetic through a small cut on the inside of the eyelid, usually as a day case.
Causes
A chalazion commonly happens because of inflammation around the openings of the oil glands at the base of the lashes, called blepharitis. Rosacea is another risk factor.
Chalazion in children
Most cysts in children go away with time, which can take weeks or months, and are usually safe to leave. Moorfields says surgery in children is usually not medically necessary. Seek advice if your child has increasing redness and soreness of the eye, very blurred vision, or spreading redness with a lot of eyelid swelling.
