Medical names: meibomian gland lipogranuloma, meibomian cyst, tarsal cyst
Other name: eyelid cyst
Plural form: chalazia
A chalazion is a bump caused by a blocked oil gland duct in the upper or lower eyelid. A combination of home treatments can resolve a chalazion. Homeopathic and surgical interventions may also be useful.
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a cyst that forms in a clogged oil gland in the upper or lower eyelid. The first symptoms resemble those of styes (see Styes), including tenderness, swelling and irritation. After a few days, the chalazion becomes a painless, firm, slow-growing bump in the eyelid and may blur vision. In most cases, chalazia are gone within a few months. However, one cyst may be followed by other, possibly larger cysts within two years’ time.
Conditions associated with chalazia include seborrhea, chronic lid inflammation, dry eye and acne.
Unlike styes, chalazia are not infections. They are the result of trapped oil secretions in a long, thin oil gland in the eyelid. However, their presence may attract infections.
A combination of treatments may be used in helping to heal your chalazion, under a doctor’s supervision:
- apply a warm compress over closed eyelids for 10 to 15 minutes, 4 times a day
- gently massage the lid from the nose outward to release blocked fluid from the gland
- Use prescribed quantities of antibiotic creams, ointments, injections/drops or pills or steroid products
Homeopathic medicines may also help dissolve your chalazion.
If the chalazion persists for more than 6 weeks, quick and easy surgery (chalazion excision) may be performed in a doctor’s office to remove it.
If bothersome symptoms persist, your eye is painful, your vision changes or other symptoms develop, consult your doctor immediately. It should also be noted that some of the medication involved in treatment may produce side effects which should be monitored.
A chalazion may not look very attractive, but it is certainly not a major threat to your eyes or your health!
For more information
http://www.eyesearch.com/eye.disease.glossary.htm
http://www.adam.com/ency/article/001006.htm
http://www.eyesearch.com/previous.questions.9.htm
http://www.eyesearch.com/previous.questions.2.htm
http://bewell.com/sym/sym81.asp
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section8/
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home/ch220.htm
http://members.aol.com/osleye/Conditions/stye.htm
http://www.buzard.com/chalazio.htm
http://www.grolaser.com/laservisioncorrection/
http://www.chalazion.com/
