CHALAZION AND STYE (HORDEOLUM)
Chalazion and Stye (Hordeolum):
These are lumps that can form in the eyelids. A chalazion occurs when one for the small glands in the eyelid (typically an oil gland) becomes clogged up, so the fluid that is produced has nowhere to go. A stye is an infection which may occur as a result of chalazion formation, but can also be the result of an infected eyelash hair follicle. A stye is almost always painful because it is an infection. A chalazion is not usually painful unless it gets very large. In addition to pain, chalazia and styes may cause crustiness or discharge of the eyelid, or the feeling that something is in your eye.
Treatment of these eyelid conditions may include warm compresses, antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory medications (either in the form of eye drops or ointment, by mouth, or by injection directly into the eyelid). If these measures fail to improve with these conservative measures, surgical incision and drainage may be necessary. This can most often be done in our office using local anesthesia. Some patients are prone to developing styes and chalazia, and they may occur again and again. If you think you are developing one of these lumps, begin by using warm compresses and contact our office.
