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Eye conditions

CHALAZION and STYE I

What is chalazion and stye?
A chalazion and a stye are both lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid. In some situations it may be difficult to distinguish between a chalazion and stye.
A stye often appears as a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid, caused by an infected eyelash follicle. When a stye occurs inside or under the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum.
A chalazion is a round, slowly developing localized lump, in the form a cyst located on the lower or upper eyelid that forms due to blockage and swelling of an oil gland in the eyelid. More than one chalazion can occur in an eyelid at the same time.
It is more common in adults than children and occurs most frequently in persons 30 to 50 years of age.
Initially, a chalazion may appear as a red, tender, swollen area of the eyelid. However, in a few days it changes to a painless, slow growing lump in the eyelid. A chalazion often starts out very small and is barely able to be seen, but it may grow to the size of a pea.

What Causes a Chalazion?
A chalazion can develop when the oil produced by glands within the eyelids, called the meibomian glands, becomes thickened and is unable to flow out of the gland. The oil builds up inside the gland and forms a lump in the eyelid. Eventually the gland may break open and release the oil into the surrounding tissue causing an inflammation of the eyelid.

Risk factors for the development of a chalazion include:

• Chronic blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids and eye lashes

• Acne rosacea

• Seborrhea

• Tuberculosis

• Viral infection

A painful, tender stye (also called a hordeolum) is usually caused by a bacterial infection.  A stye will develop at the base of an eyelash if the eyelash follicle (root) is infected. This is usually called an external hordeolum. A stye will also develop if there is an infection in one of the tiny lubricating oil glands (called meibomian glands) inside or under the eyelid. When this occurs, it is usually called an internal hordeolum

Signs & symptoms

Appearance of a painless bump or lump in the upper eyelid, or, less commonly, in the lower eyelid

• Tearing

• Blurred vision, if the chalazion is large enough to press against the eyeball

Treatment

Conservative
Most chalazia resolve by themselves within several days to weeks, but sometimes can take months to completely disappear. Warm compresses over the affected area can promote drainage of the blocked gland. Anti-inflammatory eye drops, ointments or an injection into the bump may be needed. Oral antibiotics may be indicated if the chalazion is associated with bacterial infection of the surrounding eyelid tissues (cellulitis). 
If you are prone to developing chalazia, your doctor can prescribe preventive regimens, such as cleaning your eyelids, applying medicine on your eyelid and even using oral medication for underlying conditions.
Small, inconspicuous chalazia may require no treatment at all.

Steroid injections
A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes used to reduce swelling of a chalazion.

Surgical removal
If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments or if it affects your vision, your ophthalmologist may need to drain surgically. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia in your ophthalmologist's office.