A chalazion, also known as a meibomian glandlipogranuloma, is a cyst in the eyelid that is caused by inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland, usually on the upper eyelid. Chalazions differ from styes(hordeolums) in that they are more painful than styes, and in size (chalazia tend to be larger than styes). A chalazionor meibomian cyst could take months to fully heal with treatment and could take years to heal without any.
A chalazion or meibomian cyst can sometimes be mistaken for a stye. It is common for chalazions to be mistaken for styes. If you have consistent styes that are becoming more frequent and painful then it is possible that you have a chalazion and it is recommended that you visit your doctor. A cause for this is not removing eye makeup. The oil from the makeup gathers in the glands and causes a cyst.
Treatment is typically initiated with warm compresses. Antibiotic/corticosteroid eyedrops or ointment may also be used. The chalazion may be surgically removed in two ways, depending on the size of cyst. Relatively small chalazia are removed through a small cut at the back of the eyelid. Larger chalazia are removed through an incision in front of the eyelid.
Contact Florida Eye Associates at 321-727-2020 to schedule an eye examination at one of our convenient offices throughout Brevard.
