SYMPTOMS OF CHALAZION

• In the early stages, a chalazion appears as a small, red or otherwise inflamed area of the eyelid.
• Within a few days, this inflammation can develop into a painless and slow-growing lump.
• A chalazion can appear on the upper or lower eyelid, but they are more common on the upper lid.
• Although chalazia are generally painless, they can cause the eye to become watery and mildly irritated. A particularly large chalazion may press on the eyeball, which can lead to blurry vision.

People sometimes confuse between chalazion with a stye due to the similarities in appearance. A stye is also a small lump that can develop in the eye area.

A chalazion results from a blocked oil gland, whereas a stye indicates an infected oil gland or hair follicle. However, a chalazion can sometimes develop into a stye.

TYPES OF CHALAZION

• External hordeolum- These occur at the base of the eyelash and usually result from an infection in the hair follicle.
• Internal hordeolum- These develop inside the eyelid and tend to result from an infection in an oil gland.

The most noticeable difference between a chalazion and a stye is that a chalazion tends to be painless whereas a stye is usually very painful and may cause the eye to feel sore and scratchy.

Other symptoms of a stye can include:

• Swelling of the eyelid
• Small pimple, which may contain pus
• Crustiness along the edge of the eyelid
• Sensitivity to light
• Watery eye

CAUSES OF CHALAZION

A chalazion typically occurs in a person with an underlying inflammatory condition that affects the eyes or skin. Some of these conditions include:

• Chronic blepharitis
• Acne rosacea
• Seborrheic dermatitis

Less commonly, chalazia develop due to viral conjunctivitis, which is a type of eye infection.

RISK FACTORS

Individuals who have had a stye or chalazion have an increased risk of developing chalazia in the future.

Other risk factors for a chalazion include:

• Viral infections
• Tuberculosis
• Skin cancer
• Diabetes