The eyes can be affected by some diseases or injuries, causing visual capacity to decrease and, therefore, being the reason for frequent visits to the ophthalmology consultation. The appearance of a chalazion in the eye is one of them and it is an inflammation that can occur from children to adulthood.
Chalazion can appear recurrently and the vast majority require medical treatment, although some resolve on their own. Depending on the size of the injury in the eye, it can compromise vision and it is recommended to go to an ophthalmology specialist in order to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment of this injury.
In this FastlyHealarticle, you will learn much more about Chalazion: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment of this alteration.
Table of Contents
What is a chalazion
It is an increase in volume of the upper or lower eyelid that appears in the form of a lump. This bulge occurs due to the obstruction of the sebaceous gland that becomes inflamed. It is a benign lesion and is formed by the accumulation of fatty secretion produced by the Meibomian gland, located on the edge of the eyelids.
In cases where this lesion is infected, it may contain pus, the product of infection with bacteria or microorganisms in addition to the fatty secretion. It is important to take the necessary measures in time, since the size of the injury in the eye can increase with the passage of days.
Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate a chalazion from a stye , despite not being the same. Generally, a stye is the product of an infection, while a chalazion is a blockage of the sebaceous gland.
Causes of chalazión
The lump on the eyelid known as a chalazion can appear for the following causes:
Blepharitis
It is the inflammation of the edge of the eyelids, which causes irritation and redness of the same. It is for this reason that it is one of the main causes that generate a chalazion in the eye.
Rosacea
Rosacea is known as a skin disorder that causes redness and affects the face, causing the blood vessels in the face to dilate . With this alteration, the eyes, specifically the eyelids, are affected, turning into ocular rosacea.
It can be confused with acne lesions, as it can be accompanied by pimples or pustules. Learn more about rosacea in the following article Rosacea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment .
Dermatitis seborreica
It is a common skin pathology that occurs on the scalp, so it can give rise to eye lesions at the level of the eyebrows and eyelids.
The seborrheic dermatitis is characterized by the presence of:
- Scaly spots.
- Redness of the skin.
- Persistent dandruff at the injury site.
The presence of some microorganisms can be located in the roots of the eyelashes, causing the appearance of inflammation of the edge of the eyelids, leading to chalazion. Some types of skin have a greater predisposition to generate this type of injury, this is the case of oily skin .
Chalazion symptoms
The lump in the eye produced by the appearance of the chalazion may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Increase in volume in the eyelid that is evidenced as a hard and painless lump , sometimes tender to the touch.
- Redness and swelling on the eyelid .
- Heat at the site of the eye injury.
- When the chalazion is large and presses on the eyeball, it can cause blurred vision .
- If the chalazion becomes infected, a purulent discharge may appear.
Treatment of a chalazion
The ophthalmology specialist will be in charge of indicating the treatment to be followed, especially according to the symptoms and type of chalazion that you present.
In the case of a small chalazion, it does not require treatment, since they usually resolve on their own. But in the event that the chalazion is large, the following medical recommendations will be put into practice:
Warm water compresses
The doctor will recommend the application of warm water compresses by placing them on the injury for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 to 5 times a day . This will help the lesion to open and drain the substance contained in it, relieving the inflammation of the eyelid.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline are indicated when there is the presence of an infectious picture. Steroids are used when the chalazion is large and are injected directly into the lesion.
Chalazion Surgery
Surgery is an option when no solution is found for the chalazion with the previously mentioned methods. This procedure is especially recommended when it affects vision due to its size. The surgery consists of draining the lesion and is performed in consultation with local anesthesia.
How to prevent a chalazion
Chalazion prevention is based on maintaining proper hygiene measures in the eyes:
- Practice good eyelid hygiene on a daily basis.
- Properly clean the base of the lashes with wet wipes.
- Remove eye makeup that is directly on the eyelid.
In cases that you have suffered from blepharitis, acne rosacea or chalazion on a recurring basis, you should go to the ophthalmologist to see how you can avoid the frequent appearance of this lesion in the eye.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Chalazion: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Eyes and Vision category .
- What are chalazions and styes? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.