What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a red bump on your eyelid. It is sometimes called an eyelid cyst or a meibomian cyst. It slowly forms when an oil gland (called a meibomian) becomes blocked. At first, the chalazion may be painful, but after a little time, it usually doesn’t hurt. A chalazion usually forms on the upper eyelids but may occasionally form on the lower eyelid. Ordinarily, chalazia (the plural of chalazion) develop in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. They are not common in children, but they can happen.
What causes chalazia?
Chalazia may develop when something blocks a small oil gland in the eyelid. These glands help keep the eye moist. A blocked gland begins retaining oil and swells. Eventually, the fluid will drain, and you may have a hard lump on your eyelid.
Some additional causes of chalazia are:
- Rosacea (a skin condition that causes redness and acne).
- Chronic blepharitis, eyelid inflammation (redness, swelling and irritation).
- Seborrheic dermatitis (red, dry, flaky and itchy skin).
- Tuberculosis (TB).
- Viral infections.
What are the symptoms of a chalazion?
When you have a chalazion, you will notice the following symptoms:
- Painless bump in your eyelid, usually on the upper lid.
- Mild irritation, causing your eyes to water.
- Blurred vision from larger chalazia that push on the eyeball.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How is a chalazion diagnosed?
You will usually see an eye specialist when you have a chalazion. You might see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. These healthcare providers can examine the chalazion and offer treatment options.
When you see the eye specialist, you should expect:
- Health history: Give your complete health history. This information can help your provider find underlying issues that could be contributing to the formation of a chalazion.
- External eye exam: Your provider will examine your eye, eyelid, eyelashes and skin texture.
- Thorough eyelid exam: Eye specialists shine a bright light and use magnification to look at the base of your eyelashes. They also check the oil glands’ openings.
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