Chalazion & Stye

Chalazion & Stye

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is a chalazion?

    Chalazion is a swelling in your eyelid caused by chronic inflammation of one of the small oil producing glands (meibomian glands) located in the upper and lower eyelids. This swelling is localized and often resembles a pea-like lump under your eyelid skin. A chalazion is usually a reaction to trapped oil secretions and not caused by bacteria, although the site can become secondarily infected by bacteria. When a chalazion is small and without symptoms, it may disappear without treatment. If the chalazion is large, it may cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of your eye. 

    A chalazion is sometimes confused with a stye, which also appears as a lump in the eyelid. Chalazions usually occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes, and are usually not very tender. A stye is an acute inflammatory infection of an eyelash follicle and forms a red, sore lump near the edge of the lid margin.

    What is a stye?

    A stye is an infection in the tiny oil glands that surround the base of each eyelash along the edge of the eyelid. A stye begins as a red, tender bump, and looks like a small pimple.

    A stye usually comes to a head (clear or yellow fluid collects in the stye) in about 3 days, after which it breaks open and drains and heals in about a week. Though the cause of a stye is often unknown, it can develop from rubbing the eyes or using products near the eyelid that can irritate the eye, both of which can transfer bacteria to the skin and cause infection.

    Usually, home treatment is all that is needed to treat a stye. This includes not wearing eye makeup or contact lenses; letting the stye break open by itself; applying warm, wet compresses to the eye area; and using nonprescription medicines.

    Appointment Information

    To make an appointment with an eye doctor, call 734-764-4190.

    What are the symptoms of a chalazion?

    Some of the symptoms of a chalazion include:

    • Lump and/or swelling in the eyelid
    • Blurred vision
    • Mild tenderness in the area of swelling

    The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have a chalazion. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your ophthalmologist for a complete exam.

    A chalazion is caused when the oil produced in meibomian glands becomes too thick to be secreted or the opening of the oil gland becomes too narrow for the oil to drain easily. The gland continues to produce oil but it has nowhere to drain so it causes enlargement of the gland and inflammation in the tissues surrounding it. This leads to the lump in the eyelid. Additionally, people with various forms of blepharitis may be predisposed to chalazions.

    Chalazions are diagnosed clinically and there are no special tests that need to be performed.

    How are chalazions & styes treated?

    Chalazions and styes may be treated with one or a combination of the following:

    • Gentle massage to express the glandular secretions
    • Warm compresses for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day
    • Antibiotic or steroid drops or injections
    • Surgical drainage

    Chalazions usually respond well to treatment, although some people are prone to recurrences and may require continuing medication. If a chalazion recurs in the same place, your ophthalmologist may suggest a biopsy to rule out a more serious problem. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

    Locations
    • Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Cataract Surgery Clinic | Kellogg Eye Center 1000 Wall St
      Floor 1
      Ann Arbor, MI 48105-1912       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Canton Health Center 1051 N Canton Center Rd
      Canton, MI 48187-5097       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Chelsea Health Center 14700 E Old US Highway 12
      Floor 1
      Chelsea, MI 48118-1185       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Ophthalmology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor

    Jill Elizabeth Bixler, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Theresa M Cooney, MD

    Theresa M Cooney, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Julia Dalia, M.D.

    Julia Dalia, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Joshua Robert Ehrlich, MD

    Joshua Robert Ehrlich, MD, MPH

    Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Angela Elam, MD

    Angela Renee Elam, MD, MPH

    Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics Ophthalmology

    Charles R. Frank

    Charles Ross Frank, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Sarah Jayne Garnai, MD

    Sarah Jayne Garnai, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Sean Hansen, MD

    Sean Owen Hansen, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Vanitha Isaac Jeyaraj, MD

    Vanitha Isaac Jeyaraj, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Ariane Dev Kaplan, MD

    Ariane Dev Kaplan, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Ophthalmology

    Show All Doctors

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