What causes bumps on eyelids?
Be Eye Wise and discover that a chalazion is a lump in, or along the edge of an eyelid. It is caused when an enlarged oil-producing gland in the eyelid becomes clogged. While similar in some ways to a sty, the cause is very different and a chalazion tends to be larger in size, but without pain.
Symptoms of Chalazion can be:
- A red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, usually with a small puss spot in the center.
- A feeling as if something is in your eye.
- Sensitivity to light.
- Crusting along the eyelid margin.
- Tearing.
Causes of Chalazion can be:
- When an oil gland in the eyelid becomes blocked.
Treatment of Chalazion:
Warm compresses
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply the cloth to the lid for 10 to 15 minutes, three or five times a day until the chalazion or stye is gone. You should repeatedly soak the cloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. The warm compress should allow the clogged gland to open and drain white or yellow discharge. If the gland opens, gentle massage around the stye or chalazion may help drainage.
Antibiotic ointments
An antibiotic ointment may be prescribed if bacteria infect a chalazion, if a stye does not improve after treatment with warm compresses or if it keeps coming back.
Steroid injections
A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes used to reduce swelling of a chalazion.
Surgical removal
If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments, or if it affects your vision, your Northwest Eye doctor may need to drain it using a minor surgical procedure. Chalazion surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia at Northwest Eye. For children and young adults, this procedure can be done by our pediatric specialists using a short, general anesthetic.
To learn all you can about chalazion and chalazion surgery, please schedule an appointment with a Northwest Eye doctor. Because the more you know, the better you see.
