What is the difference between a chalazion and a stye?

A stye is an acute bacterial infection of a lash follicle or gland, so it is painful, red, and often has a pus point near the lid edge, developing over a day or two. A chalazion is a blocked oil gland without active infection, forming a firmer, usually painless lump deeper in the lid over days to weeks. A stye can turn into a chalazion once the infection settles.

How long does a chalazion take to go away?

With regular warm compresses, many resolve within two to eight weeks, though some take longer. If it has not improved after about a month or two, or it is bothering your vision, a steroid injection or a small drainage procedure can clear it quickly.

Can I pop a chalazion?

No. Squeezing can push inflammatory material into the surrounding tissue, cause infection, and leave scarring. Warm compresses and massage encourage natural drainage. If it needs to be opened, this should be done by a clinician from the inside of the lid under sterile conditions.

Eye & EarICD-10: H00.1Common; affects people of all ages, particularly those with blepharitis or rosacea

Chalazion

Also known as: Meibomian cyst, Eyelid cyst

A chalazion is a slow-growing, usually painless lump in the eyelid caused by a blocked meibomian gland, one of the tiny oil glands along the lid margin that keep the tear film from evaporating. When the gland's opening is blocked, oil builds up and leaks into the surrounding tissue, provoking a localized inflammatory reaction that forms a firm, rubbery nodule. A chalazion often begins after a stye or in people with blepharitis, but unlike a stye it is not an active infection. Most resolve on their own over weeks to months with warm compresses; those that persist or press on the eye can be treated with a steroid injection or a minor procedure.

At a Glance

Common symptoms: A firm, round, painless lump in the upper or lower eyelid, Mild redness or swelling of the lid, especially early on, Tenderness in the first days, which usually fades
Main treatments: Warm compresses for 10–15 minutes several times a day to soften and release the blocked oil, Gentle massage of the lid toward the lashes after warming, Eyelid hygiene to treat underlying blepharitis
Category: Eye & Ear · Common; affects people of all ages, particularly those with blepharitis or rosacea
See a doctor if: The lump has not improved after several weeks of warm compresses

Symptoms

A firm, round, painless lump in the upper or lower eyelid

Mild redness or swelling of the lid, especially early on

Tenderness in the first days, which usually fades

Blurred vision if a large chalazion presses on the eye

A feeling of heaviness in the lid

Sometimes a small bump visible on the inner surface of the lid

Causes

Blockage of a meibomian oil gland
Thickened oil secretions that clog the gland opening
A stye (infected gland) that resolves but leaves a blocked gland
Chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
Skin conditions such as rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis

Risk Factors

Blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction
Rosacea
A previous chalazion or stye
Diabetes
Not removing eye makeup, or touching the eyes with unwashed hands

Diagnosis

Examination of the eyelid by a doctor or optometrist, which is usually sufficient
Everting the lid to view the inner surface
Biopsy of a lump that recurs in the same place or looks unusual, to exclude a rare eyelid cancer

Treatment

Warm compresses for 10–15 minutes several times a day to soften and release the blocked oil
Gentle massage of the lid toward the lashes after warming
Eyelid hygiene to treat underlying blepharitis
Steroid injection into the chalazion to shrink it
Incision and drainage under local anesthetic for a persistent or large chalazion
Antibiotics only if there is surrounding skin infection, since a chalazion itself is not infected
Supportive: not squeezing or trying to pop the lump, which can spread inflammation

Prevention

Practice regular eyelid hygiene, especially if you have blepharitis
Wash hands before touching the eyes or handling contact lenses
Remove eye makeup fully each night and replace old products
Treat rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis
Use warm compresses at the first sign of lid tenderness

When to See a Doctor

The lump has not improved after several weeks of warm compresses
It is affecting your vision or is very large
The eyelid becomes increasingly red, painful, or hot, or you develop fever
A lump keeps coming back in the same spot
Changes to the lashes or skin over the lump

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Conditions

Stye

Eye & Ear

Blepharitis

Eye & Ear

Dry Eye Syndrome

Eye & Ear

Rosacea

Dermatological

Conjunctivitis

Eye & Ear

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