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.
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.
How do you treat a chalazion?
In most cases, you can treat a chalazion at home. Most chalazia go away in a month or less.
First, never push on a chalazion or try to pop it. You can injure your eye. Instead, for home treatment, try:
Warm compresses: Wet a clean washcloth with warm water. Hold it on the affected eye for 15 minutes. Do this at least three times a day to help the blocked oil gland open up.
Massage: Gently massage the eyelid a few times a day. Massage for a few minutes each day, using light to medium pressure. Gentle massage can help open the blocked oil gland.
Good hygiene: Don’t wear eye makeup while you have a chalazion. After the chalazion drains, keep the area clean. Follow good eye health practices, and avoid touching your eyes.
If the chalazion doesn’t go away, you should seek help from an eye specialist. The chalazion may need to have the fluid drained through a small incision. You may also need an injection of steroids to reduce swelling and inflammation.
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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