Eyes / Eye Diseases

Chalazions

A stye is a stye is a stye . . .

A stye is a stye is a stye, right? Wrong! People are in the habit of calling any sore bump on the eyelid a stye, but such lesions are not all the same. A stye (the “proper” term is hordeolum) is an inflamed hair follicle. But the eyelid contains more than just lashes. It also has oil glands, mucous glands, and sweat glands. The oil glands, also called meibomian or tarsal glands, occasionally block up. When this happens, the oil builds up and the gland may become infected. Such an infection occurs when bacteria are trapped in the blocked gland and begin to multiply. The result is a red, inflamed, painful knot in the eyelid called a chalazion. The inflammation may subside, leaving you with a painless, pea-sized knot in the lid.

The meibomian glands can become blocked by dirt and debris, so if you are exposed to a dusty environment, you may be more prone to developing chalazia (plural). Makeup can also clog the glands, so it is best to apply eyeliner just under the lash line instead of on the lash margin, where the glands open. Chalazia are also often associated with a general eyelid infection known as blepharitis.

Home treatment for a chalazion includes hot packs (as hot as you can stand, but not hot enough to burn the skin). Your eye care provider may prescribe antibiotic drops or ointments. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may be given. Occasionally a chalazion must be lanced and drained. (This is done with local anesthetic.)

Jan Ledford, COMT
EyeWrite Productions