Eye Disorders: Chalazion; also known as a Stye
A Chalazion is an inflammation in the oil glands along the eyelid margin. Those glands, called the meibomian glands, help keep our eyes moist. If the gland becomes plugged with thick oil secretions, the oil back-flushes into the eyelid tissue, producing inflammation. After several weeks, if the gland does not drain, a cyst can form around the secretions. A chalazion is not considered an infection, just an inflammatory process. A common underlying cause of chalazia is blepharitis.
What are the symptoms?
A red, painful swelling near the eyelid margin develops. As weeks go by, the swelling can resolve if the gland drains. Otherwise, a painless lump may develop in the eyelid. Sometimes a fleshy bump can develop on the inside of the eyelid (conjuctiva) next to the chalazion, called a pyogenic granuloma. Sometimes chalazia cause no symptoms. If they are large enough, they can gently press on the eye enough to cause blurry vision.
How are chalazia treated?
1. The mainstay of treatment initially, during the first few weeks when it is red and tender, is warm compresses. Apply a washcloth soaked in warm water (not so hot that it will burn the skin) to the chalazion for 5 minutes, several times a day. Think of the goal as trying to melt the buttery plug so the gland will drain.
2. If it looks secondarily infected (which is rare), an antibiotic pill may be prescribed.
3. After a few weeks, the above treatments usually work. If the pain and redness have gone away and a cyst has formed in the lid (picture above), surgically draining the chalazion is the most effective treatment. This is performed usually in the doctor's office with a local anesthesic, and takes about 5 minutes.
4. Another treatment option for the chronic phase is a local steroid injection, which reduces the size of the chalazion. Sometimes this is the best option given other factors.