Chalazion

What is a chalazion?

Noticed a lump on your eyelid? Learn about chalazion, a common eyelid cyst, what causes it, and how it's treated. It can look like a small, red, swollen bump and can feel like a pea inside your eyelid. It happens when one of the small oil glands in your eyelid gets blocked.

Symptoms of a chalazion

Many people with a chalazion have no symptoms other than the lump itself. However, if the chalazion becomes inflamed, it can cause some discomfort. Common symptoms include:

A painless lump on the eyelid. This is the most obvious sign, and it usually develops slowly.
It can be on the upper or lower eyelid.
Swollen eye. The eyelid may become generally swollen, although this is rare. Learn more about a swollen eye.
Red or bloodshot eyes. The area around the chalazion might look red and inflamed. Learn more about red or bloodshot eyes.
Watery eyes. Mild irritation from the chalazion can cause your eye to water. Learn more about watery eyes.
Blurry vision. If a chalazion gets large enough, it can press on your eyeball and cause your vision to become blurry. This is a key sign that you should see an optometrist. Learn more about blurry vision.

What causes a chalazion?

A chalazion is caused by a blockage in one of the tiny meibomian glands in the eyelids. These glands produce oil to keep the eyes moist. When a gland gets blocked, the oil builds up and forms a lump. It's not always clear why these glands get blocked, but it's often linked to conditions like blepharitis, which is inflammation of the eyelids.

Who’s more likely to get it?

A chalazion is most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, although they can happen at any age. You might be more likely to get a chalazion if you have had one before, or if you have underlying conditions like blepharitis or certain skin conditions like rosacea.

Learn more about the eye anatomy.

How is a chalazion diagnosed?

An optometrist can usually diagnose a chalazion by examining your eyelid. They will look closely at the lump and your eyelid margins, often using a slit lamp, which is a special microscope with a bright light. This allows them to get a magnified view of the area and confirm that it's a chalazion and not something else. They will also ask about your symptoms and your general health.

Patient history: Your optometrist will ask about your symptoms and any previous eye problems to understand the situation.
External eye examination: They will look at your eye, eyelid structure, skin texture, and eyelash appearance.
Slit‑lamp examination: This is the main tool for diagnosis. It provides a highly magnified view of your eyelid, the gland openings, and the chalazion itself.

Chalazion vs. Stye

It can be tricky to tell the difference between a chalazion and a stye, as both appear as lumps on the eyelid. The main difference is that a stye is a painful, infected gland at the edge of the eyelid, often at the base of an eyelash. A chalazion, on the other hand, is usually painless and develops further back on the eyelid. A stye can sometimes lead to a chalazion if it doesn't heal properly.

Treatment of a chalazion

How is a chalazion treated? Most chalazia will go away on their own within a few weeks or a month, but there are things you can do at home to help the chalazion healing stages. The main treatment is applying a warm compress to the eyelid and practising good lid hygiene. When a chalazion needs medical help. While most chalazion are harmless, you should see an optometrist if it doesn't go away after a few weeks, if it gets very large, or if it starts to affect your vision. In some cases, your optometrist might recommend further treatment.

Warm compresses and lid hygiene. This is the most important part of chalazion treatment.
Soaking a clean flannel in warm water and holding it against your closed eyelid for 10‑15 minutes, 3‑4 times a day, can help to soften the hardened oil and allow the gland to drain.
Gently massaging the eyelid afterwards can also help.
Antibiotic eye drops or ointments. If the chalazion becomes infected, your optometrist or doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Steroid injection. In some cases, a steroid injection can be used to reduce the inflammation.
Chalazion removal. Surgery is rarely needed, but it might be an option for a large, persistent chalazion that is causing blurry vision or is very bothersome.
This is a minor procedure to drain the contents of the cyst.

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Can I prevent a chalazion?

The best way to prevent a chalazion is to practice good eyelid hygiene, especially if you are prone to them. This includes cleaning your eyelids daily to remove dirt, makeup, and excess oil that can clog the glands. If you have blepharitis, managing that condition is key to preventing chalazia.

How to keep your eyelids clean

Keeping your eyelids clean is an easy way to help avoid irritation or infection. We’ll take you through a simple daily routine, including how to clean along the lash line safely and gently. You’ll also get tips on which products to use (and what to avoid). And if anything feels sore or doesn’t get better, you can always pop in and see us.

Chalazion FAQs

Related conditions

Not sure if this is what you’re experiencing? Explore some related conditions:

Stye
A stye (also known as a hordeolum) is a small painful lump on the inner or outer surface of the eyelid.
Find out more
Blepharitis
This is a common condition, accounting for about 1 in 20 eye problems. It’s not serious, but it can lead to other conditions like dry eye syndrome.
Find out more
Puffy eye
Puffy eyes are caused by a build‑up of fluid in and around the eyes.
Find out more

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Written by our experts for peace of mind

Ross Campbell

BSc Hons MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc Prof Cert Med Ret

Ross is an experienced optometrist having graduated in 2007 from Bradford University. He is also ophthalmic director of Specsavers Swaledale with Northallerton & Thirsk, a pre‑registration supervisor, professional advancement consultant, and a WOPEC Lead Assessor. He has previously worked as Director of Optometry Advancement for Specsavers and as a columnist for Optician & ProFile magazine.

What is a chalazion?

Symptoms of a chalazion

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