{"id":8857,"date":"2020-11-15T08:15:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-15T08:15:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=8857"},"modified":"2021-07-27T10:33:15","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T10:33:15","slug":"eyelid-inflammation-chalazion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/eyelid-conditions\/eyelid-inflammation-chalazion\/","title":{"rendered":"Eyelid Inflammation: Chalazion"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a chalazion?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A chalazion is a lump that forms under the skin of the eyelid.<\/p>\n

It can develop when the meibomian gland<\/a> becomes obstructed or inflamed, causing a release of the gland\u2019s contents into the surrounding soft tissue.<\/p>\n

This in turn, leads to a lipogranulomatosis reaction, causing a lump to form. When the chalazion begins to develop, it may be tender to touch, though it typically evolves into a painless lump.<\/p>\n

Chalazion or stye?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Very often, patients confuse these two eyelid conditions, as they can appear similar on the eyelid.<\/p>\n

However, a chalazion and stye<\/a> are two distinct eyelid conditions that require different methods of treatment.<\/p>\n

A chalazion is a <\/b>painless <\/i><\/b>lump that develops from a <\/b>clogged <\/i><\/b>oil gland, while a stye is a <\/b>painful <\/i><\/b>lump that develops from an <\/b>infected <\/i><\/b>oil gland or eyelash follicle.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Occasionally, a chalazion can evolve into a stye if it becomes infected.<\/p>\n

Risk factors<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have had a chalazion in the past, your chances of developing another one are generally higher than those who have never had one before<\/b>.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Certain eye and skin inflammatory conditions can cause a chalazion to develop. These include:<\/p>\n