At times, multiple conditions and infections may occur in and around the eye. The reason may be a result of some underlying conditions or several other causes. Although not all these conditions are threatening, it is not wise to ignore them. Chalazion is one of these conditions and is very common as far as eye conditions go.
Through this article, we will learn in detail about chalazion.
What is a Chalazion?
A small lump is formed within the eyelid, caused by swelling or blockage of the meibomian gland. This lump or cyst is called a chalazion. It usually starts as a small painless red lump and swelling that mainly occurs on the lower or upper eyelid that further spreads to irritate the eye and causes redness over the eyelids.
A chalazion is a common condition, and at times, it disappears without any treatment. However, if it affects your vision or causes irritation to your eye, you should visit your ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will generally ask you about any previous similar conditions and other health issues. Your doctor will also perform a detailed examination of your eye, your eyelid texture, and your appearance. This careful examination will also help your doctor determine whether you have a chalazion or stye.
Causes of Chalazion
Swelling and blockage of the meibomian gland are the main chalazion causes.
These conditions include infective conjunctivitis, acne rosacea, seborrhea, skin infections, inflammation of eyelids, tuberculosis, and other viral infections. Using old or unhygienic cosmetics is also one of the causes for the formation of chalazion. Rarely, systemic diseases like diabetes can also become a root cause of chalazion.
Symptoms of Chalazion
A chalazion usually occurs as a painless lump within your upper or lower eyelid. The common chalazion symptoms that you should look out for are:
- Small red lump on the eyelids
- Irritation to the eyes and watery eyes
- In case of a chalazion of larger size, you may experience blurred vision as it may press against the eyeball
Chalazion vs Stye: Know the Difference!
Chalazion and stye both occur as a small lump on the eyelid. Hence, it is not unusual to get these two confused. As the appearance of both chalazion and stye is almost similar, it becomes hard to differentiate between both.
The main difference between a stye and chalazion is the cause of their occurrence. As discussed before, we now know that a chalazion occurs by meibomian gland inflammation or blockage, whereas stye appears due to the inflammation of the eyelash follicles. In addition to that, a stye is also very painful, whereas a chalazion is painless. A chalazion gradually develops as compared to a stye and is also larger in size.
Prevention and Treatment of Chalazion
Now that we know what chalazion is, it is time to understand how to prevent it, along with various chalazion treatment options available.
Prevention:
- Maintain good hygiene around your eyes.
- Avoid touching your eyes frequently.
- Make sure your hands are clean before you touch your eyes.
- If you are wearing eye makeup, make sure to remove it before going to sleep.
Treatment:
- Chalazia usually go away without any treatment or with minimal treatment. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops and suggest warm compression to the eyes for about 10 minutes, four times a day.
- The medical treatment is usually minimal. Doctors opt for corticosteroid injections.
- Chalazion surgery is also a very effective treatment done for cases not responding to medicines. It’s a very small surgery with immediate recovery and no scars.
How can Centre for Sight help?
Centre for Sight focuses on providing the best eye care to its patients. We have a wide range of well-trained and qualified doctors and healthcare professionals that come together to provide the best service to our patients. Our team of experts will be with you to explain and guide you throughout the consultation, treatment, and post-surgical care.
Article: Chalazion: A Common Eye Infection You Might Not Have Heard Of!
Author: CFS Editorial Team | May 25 2021 | UPDATED 04:30 IST
*The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Centre for Sight.
