Chalazion and Stye

Lid lumps from blocked oil glands

Overview

Styes and chalazia are common lumps of the eyelid arising from its glands. A stye, or hordeolum, is an acute bacterial infection, usually staphylococcal, of a gland of the eyelid. An external hordeolum involves an eyelash follicle or its associated glands and forms a painful red bump at the lid edge, while an internal hordeolum involves a meibomian gland within the lid. A chalazion is a chronic, usually painless, firm lump caused by blockage of a meibomian gland, in which retained oily secretions provoke a granulomatous inflammatory reaction, and it may follow a stye. Both are associated with blepharitis and rosacea. Many resolve on their own over weeks, and warm compresses are traditionally used, while persistent chalazia can be treated by incision and curettage or corticosteroid injection. Recurrent lesions in the same location, particularly in older adults, may be biopsied, since sebaceous gland carcinoma can rarely mimic a chalazion.