Diagnosis and treatment
What is a chalazion and why does it keep coming back?
What are the main things to know?
- A chalazion is a firm lump inside the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland
- It often develops against a background of blepharitis and chronic inflammation of the eyelid margin
- It tends to come back if the cause of the inflammation is not dealt with
- To prevent repeated chalazia I use IPL therapy on the Envision by InMode platform
How do you recognise a chalazion?
- A firm, usually painless lump inside the eyelid
- Slight redness and swelling of the skin over the lump
- A feeling of a foreign body when blinking, if the lump is large
- A tendency to repeated episodes in the same eye or in the other one
Why does a chalazion develop?
The cause is a blocked meibomian gland of the eyelid: its secretion stagnates and provokes chronic inflammation. This is often linked to blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelid margin, which is why treating one without the other rarely gives a lasting result.
When should you see an ophthalmologist about a chalazion?
If the lump does not go away on its own within a few weeks, if it comes back, or if it is accompanied by redness and discomfort that gets in the way.
How can I help with a chalazion?
I examine the eyelid, determine the stage and the cause of the inflammation, select conservative treatment, and to prevent repeated chalazia I use IPL therapy on the Envision by InMode platform - it works with the cause, meibomian gland dysfunction, and not only with the consequence.
What does this page not cover?
If a chalazion is large, does not go away for a long time or needs to be removed, that is a separate decision taken individually at the examination - there is no universal answer here, neither “always IPL” nor “always removal”.
Questions patients ask most often
What do patients ask most often?
Can a chalazion be prevented from coming back?
Yes, if the cause is dealt with - meibomian gland dysfunction and the accompanying blepharitis. For prevention I use device-based treatment. I will explain it in more detail at the consultation.
Are a chalazion and a stye the same thing?
No. A stye is an acute inflammation, usually painful and quick to pass. A chalazion is a chronic, usually painless lump that can stay for weeks. Which of the two you have can be established precisely at an examination.
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