A chalazion is a small lump on the eyelid. It’s also known as an eyelid cyst or meibomian cyst. It gradually develops when an oil gland (known as a meibomian gland) becomes plugged. The chalazion may cause pain at first, but it normally goes away after a while. It is usually a small, red, sensitive, swollen eyelid area that does not cause any infection. A chalazion normally originates on the bottom of the upper eyelid, although it can also form on the lower eyelid. This condition may need to be treated for it to heal properly, so avoid trying to drain or forcefully squeeze it.
Chalazion
A chalazion can cause persistent discomfort and affect your daily life. This condition arises from a blocked oil gland, leading to swelling & irritation on the eyelid.
At Perfect Eyes Limited, our dedicated team provides expert treatments to relieve chalazion, ensuring you regain comfort & a clear appearance.
What is Chalazion?
Causes of Chalazion
Blocked Glands
A chalazion may develop when the meibomian glands of the eyelid get obstructed.
Chronic Blepharitis
A chalazion can develop from chronic inflammation of the eyelids, which is frequently brought on by an excessive number of bacteria.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Low amounts of vitamin A can cause issues with the skin, eyes, and even cause a chalazion to form.
Acne Rosacea
A chronic skin disorder marked by inflammation and acne-like symptoms raises the possibility of developing a chalazion.
Seborrhea
A skin disorder that can make skin oily and flaky and raise the chance of getting chalazion.
Tuberculosis
In rare cases, tuberculosis can cause a chalazion, especially if it affects the eyelid or surrounding tissues.
Viral infection
Inflammation from specific viral infections, such as herpes simplex, can result in chalazion formation.
Underlying Conditions
In rare cases, a chalazion may be a sign of an underlying infection or skin cancer, thus a medical examination is essential.
Treatments for Chalazion Eyelid
Chalazion Removal Treatment
Chalazion treatment removes eyelid bumps, relieves discomfort, and prevents complications, with quick and effective recovery, restoring normal eyelid appearance and function, and rejuvenating the eye’s natural look. This is a quick scarless minor procedure that is performed in the clinic. Also called an incision and curettage, the chalazion is cut and drained under a local anaesthetic. An alternative to a surgical procedure is a small steroid injection inside the chalazion. This is mainly offered for “fresh” chalazion rather than those present for more than 3 months.
Meet the Expert: Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai
With over two decades of surgical and non-surgical experience, Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai is currently considered to be one of the safest, most experienced oculoplastic surgeons in the UK. Her extensive training, in combination with her caring and empathetic nature, makes her a natural choice for patients seeking the very best care. For this reason, Dr. Sabrina Shah-Desai appears consistently in Tatler magazine as one of the UK’s “Best Eye Surgeon” and “Top Doctors” since 2019, and is the recipient of multiple awards, including “Best Aesthetic Doctor” Safety in Beauty Diamond Award 2023, “Consultant Surgeon of the Year”, “Best Surgical Result” Aesthetic Awards 2021 & Highly Commended “Consultant Surgeon of the Year” Aesthetic Awards 2022. She was voted by “MyFaceMyBody” as one of the Global 100 most influential aesthetic practitioners in 2019 & 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you treat a chalazion at home?
Conservative measures include applying warm compresses, massaging the lids, and using ointments or drops containing steroids and antibiotics. On the other hand, while applying topical or local steroid drugs, it’s important to keep an eye on intraocular pressure and shorten the duration of treatment.
Chalazion vs Stye: what's the difference?
A chalazion is a chronic, less painful infection of the Zeis or meibomian (oil-secreting) glands on the inside (conjunctival) side of the eyelid. Styes, or hordeola, are painful infectious lesions on the border of the eyelid (eyelash follicles) that appear suddenly and eventually break open and drain.
Are Chalazions resolved naturally?
Most chalazions do clear up on their own in a few a months, requiring no medical attention. Warm compresses should be applied to the eyelid up to six times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each, for several days. Warm compresses can help with drainage and healing because they loosen the hardened oil that is blocking the ducts.
Can a chalazion cause harm?
Although chalazia can be concerning, it is typically not a reason for panic and is easily treated at home. When eyelids are kept clean and well-maintained, most problems resolve themselves. Speak with your eye care professional if a chalazion doesn’t seem to be improving and continues to exist.
How much time does the chalazion last?
Untreated chalazion can take four to six weeks to heal, while some people might get better in just one week. However, a person’s immune system, overall health, and ability to repair themselves can all affect how long a chalazion takes to recover.
Can blindness be caused by chalazion?
Chronic Blepharitis that is not treated has the rare potential to permanently harm the eyes and impair vision if ignored for an extended period of time or are not appropriately treated. Individuals suffering from chronic eyelid disease need suitable treatment to prevent major complications like vision loss.
Which foods result in chalazion?
Chalazion risk may be reduced by avoiding dairy products and following the dietary modification recommendations typically given to acne patients, which include avoiding chocolate, coffee, and fried foods.
Can cancer develop from chalazion?
In rare instances, chalazion might really be malignant. When the oil glands on the eyelid clog, swelling pimples known as chalazion develop on the eyelid. After a few weeks, they normally recover on their own without any pain. Recurrent chalazion, on the other hand, needs to be extracted and regarded as possibly cancerous if it reappears in the same location following successful drainage.
