Eyelid Lump (Chalazion)

What is a chalazion?

A chalazion is a small, usually painless lump that forms in the eyelid when one of the small oil glands (meibomian glands) along the eyelid margin becomes blocked. Oil that would normally drain onto the surface of the eye instead builds up inside the gland, causing it to swell into a firm, round lump. Chalazia are common, can affect adults and children, and may occur on the upper or lower eyelid. They’re sometimes preceded by a stye, a more painful, infected version of a blocked gland, though a chalazion itself is not an active infection. While not harmful, a chalazion can be uncomfortable, take weeks to resolve, and affect the appearance of the eyelid if it doesn’t clear on its own.

Symptoms

• A visible or palpable lump on the eyelid, usually painless
• Mild swelling, redness or heaviness in the affected eyelid
• Watering or mild irritation of the eye
• Occasionally, blurred vision if the lump is large enough to press on the eye
• In rare cases, a lump that persists or grows over several weeks despite home treatment

Diagnosis

Diagnosed through a routine eyelid examination. Your surgeon will assess the size, position and duration of the lump, and may check the surrounding eyelid glands for signs of a broader condition such as blepharitis, which can make chalazia more likely to recur.

Treatments

• Warm compresses — applied several times a day, often enough to resolve small, early chalazia by softening and draining the blocked gland naturally
• Minor eyelid procedure — drainage of the lump under local anaesthetic, performed quickly and safely for cases that don’t resolve with warm compresses alone, typically after several weeks of home treatment

Outcomes

Most chalazia resolve with simple measures or a minor procedure, with a high success rate and minimal downtime. Recurrence is possible, particularly if an underlying eyelid condition such as blepharitis isn’t also managed, so your surgeon may recommend ongoing eyelid hygiene to reduce the chance of new chalazia forming.