Eyelid Stye/Chalazion

What is a Stye?

It can be unpleasant and painful to have recently appeared lumps on upper or lower eyelids. This can affect one’s confidence and performance at work.

Internal styes are also known as hordeolum’s, and they are inflammations of the glands located at the base of the eyelids. It results in a tender lump on the edge of the eyelid. Often a stye will go away on its own without treatment. Its recommended to use a warm compress to heat up the eyelid to remove the stye.
 
Stye and hordeolum that are associated with cellulitis would require medical attention and possibly oral antibiotics.
 
When an eyelid swelling is accompanied by fever, sweats, blurry vision, reduced visual acuity, double vision, or swelling of the eyeball, it is very important to seek an urgent medical opinion.
Chalazion
Man with large stye on eyelid

What is a Chalazion?

Chalazion, or Meibomian cyst, is a cyst in the eyelid caused by a blocked eyelid gland after a stye or external hordeolum.
 
An infected large chalazion may present with a cellulitis as well as inflammation of the adjacent tissue, causing it to be tender and painful, requiring antibiotics. In time, they might form a solid nodule, a lump or a swelling along the lid margin.

How do we treat Chalazion?

The use of hot flannel, massage treatment as well as possibly anti-inflammatory eye drops may not be enough to treat a persistent unsightly chalazion. You may decide that you want to have surgery on it. The use of steroids may be an option, but the results are variable.

Surgical removal under local anesthesia or less commonly general anesthesia is an option if you have:

A persistent chalazion that fails to resolve despite warming compresses and pressure

 
Frequently Asked Questions

They are inflammation of the glands located at the base of the eyelids. Resulting in a tender lump on the edge of the eyelid.

Usually, a stye will go away on its own without needing treatment. A warm compress is recommended to remove the stye.

In a case where a stye is accompanied by fever, sweats, blurry vision, double vision or swelling of the eyeball, it is very important to seek urgent medical attention.