Chalazion (meibomian cyst)

Whakawaikuratanga

A chalazion is a lump on one of your eyelids. It forms when a tiny oil gland on the inside of your eyelid (also called a meibomian gland) gets blocked and swollen. Oil builds up inside the gland and forms a lump. Eventually the gland may break open and release the oil into the surrounding tissue. This can cause redness and swelling of your eyelid.

A chalazion is different from a stye, which is caused by bacterial infection of the gland at the base of an eyelash. Styes are usually smaller, more painful and closer to the surface of the eyelid than chalazia (the plural of chalazion).

You're more likely to get one if you:

have had one before
touch your eyelids when your hands aren't clean
have chronically inflamed eyelids and eyelashes, also called blepharitis
have a skin condition like acne, rosacea or seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Symptoms of a chalazion

At first, a chalazion is a red, tender and swollen area but in a few days, it changes to a painless, slow-growing lump. The lump starts very small but can grow to the size of a pea. Your eye may water more, and a large chalazion that presses against your eye can cause blurred vision and discomfort.

Treating a chalazion

Often a chalazion will go away after about a month, without any treatment.

To help it go, put a clean, warm compress on your eyelid four to six times a day, for about 10 minutes at a time. Also, gently massage the lump with clean hands, for several minutes each day. This softens the oil in the gland and can help it to drain.
Do not try to squeeze or drain the chalazion yourself.
If it keeps getting bigger or doesn't go away, see your general practice team to get it checked.
If the chalazion is causing an ongoing problem, you may need minor surgery to have it removed.

Preventing chalazia

Gently cleaning the eyelash edge of your eyelids each night can help prevent getting a chalazion. Use eye cleansing pads or diluted baby shampoo. You can also put a warm compress on your eyelids for a few minutes each night before bed. Remember to keep your hands clean.

HealthInfo recommends the following pages

American Academy of Ophthalmology – What are chalazia and styes?
This section explains what causes chalazia and styes, the symptoms and treatment.

Written by Canterbury optometrists. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.

Sources

Page reference: 141203

Review key: HICAS-141203