Information on chalazia and styes

A chalazion and a stye are both lumps in or along the edge of an eyelid. In some situations, it may be difficult to distinguish between a chalazion and stye.

Anyone can develop a chalazion or stye, but if your child has blepharitis, a condition affecting the eyelid margins, they may be more likely to get either one.

Your child may have an increased risk of developing chalazia or styes if they:

• Have had chalazia or styes previously
• Have skin conditions such as acnea rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis
• Have other systemic medical conditions, such as diabetes
• Consistently don’t remove eye makeup completely
• Use old or contaminated cosmetics

It is important not to squeeze or try to “pop” a chalazion or stye. This may spread the infection into the surrounding eyelid tissue.

Symptoms of a chalazion or stye are treated with one or more of the following methods:

• Warm compresses
• Antibiotic ointments
• Steroid injections
• Surgical removal

Chalazia and styes usually respond well to treatment, although they can recur. If a chalazion comes back in the same place, your child’s ophthalmologist may suggest a biopsy (where a tiny piece of tissue is surgically removed and studied) to rule out other possibilities.

The term “chalazion” comes from a Greek word meaning “small lump.” A chalazion forms when an oil-producing gland in the eyelid called the meibomian gland becomes enlarged and the gland opening becomes clogged with oil.

Chalazia tend to develop farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes. They are often larger but less painful. Chalazia are not caused by an infection from bacteria, and they are not a cancer. Sometimes, when a stye doesn’t heal, it can turn into a chalazion.

About 25 percent of chalazia have no symptoms and will go away without any treatment. However, a chalazion may become red, swollen and tender. A larger chalazion may also cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

A stye often appears as a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid, caused by an infected eyelash follicle. When a stye occurs inside or under the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum. If an internal hordeolum doesn’t drain and heal, it can turn into a chalazion.

A painful, tender stye is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A stye will develop at the base of an eyelash if the eyelash follicle (root) is infected. This is usually called an external hordeolum.

A stye can also be caused by widespread inflammation of the eyelid from blepharitis, a condition that affects the eyelid margins.

Early symptoms of a stye generally include eyelid tenderness and redness in the affected area, with irritation and scratchiness in the eye. Further symptoms of a stye include:

• A red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, usually with a small pus spot in the center
• A feeling as if something is in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Crusting along the eyelid margin
• Tearing