{"id":1807,"date":"2026-10-20T08:53:05","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/chalazion\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:56:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:56:28","slug":"chalazion","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/chalazion\/","title":{"rendered":"Chalazion: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Chalazion: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Chalazion: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Chalazion<\/strong> (noun, plural chalazia; also called a meibomian cyst)<\/em>: a chalazion is a firm, usually painless lump in the eyelid that forms when an oil gland in the lid becomes blocked. The trapped oil leaks into the surrounding tissue and causes a long-lasting, sterile inflammation rather than an infection. Many chalazia settle by themselves over weeks to months; large or stubborn ones can be treated by an eye surgeon with a steroid injection or a small drainage procedure.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

    In short:<\/strong> a chalazion is a painless, firm lump in the eyelid caused by a blocked oil (meibomian) gland. Unlike a stye, it is not an infection. Warm compresses are the first step, and many chalazia clear within weeks to months. If it is large, keeps growing, affects your vision or returns, an eye surgeon can inject steroid or drain it under local anaesthetic. At Laser Istanbul Clinic, eyelid conditions are led by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Chalazion: key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What it is<\/span><\/dt>
    A chronic, sterile lipogranuloma (a lump of inflamed, oil-rich tissue) inside the eyelid, from an obstructed meibomian gland in the tarsal plate<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Where<\/span><\/dt>
    Upper lids more often than lower lids, because the upper lid has more meibomian glands<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Who gets it<\/span><\/dt>
    Both sexes and all ages<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Main risk factors<\/span><\/dt>
    Blepharitis, rosacea and a previous chalazion; also demodex mites, smoking and some medicines<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Typical feel<\/span><\/dt>
    Firm, gradually growing, usually painless lump<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Natural course<\/span><\/dt>
    Often resolves by itself in weeks to months<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Treatment<\/span><\/dt>
    Warm compresses and lid massage; steroid injection; incision and curettage<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; at Laser Istanbul Clinic, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131 (eyelid and oculoplastic surgery)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What is a chalazion?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    A chalazion is a lump in the eyelid that develops when a meibomian gland is blocked. These tiny oil glands line the edge of both eyelids and release the oil that stops your tears evaporating. When the gland’s opening is obstructed, the oil it makes is trapped and leaks into the lid tissue. The body reacts with long-standing granulomatous inflammation, and a lump forms. EyeWiki, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s (AAO) clinical wiki, describes it as a chronic, sterile lipogranuloma. “Sterile” means no bacterial infection is needed for it to form, which is the key difference from a stye.<\/p>\n

    A chalazion typically shows up as a gradually enlarging nodule in the lid. It is usually not tender to the touch, although the lid can become painful if it gets secondarily infected.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Chalazion vs stye: what is the difference?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    A chalazion and a stye (hordeolum) are often confused because both are lumps on the eyelid. The AAO explains that a stye is a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or an oil gland, whereas a chalazion develops when an oil gland clogs up and is not an infection. A chalazion can sometimes start as an internal stye.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    <\/th>Chalazion<\/th>Stye (hordeolum)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Cause<\/th>Blocked oil (meibomian) gland, sterile inflammation<\/td>Bacterial infection of a lash follicle or oil gland<\/td><\/tr>
    Pain<\/th>Usually little or none<\/td>Painful, red, tender<\/td><\/tr>
    Pus<\/th>No<\/td>Often a yellow pus spot<\/td><\/tr>
    How long<\/th>Weeks to months<\/td>The NHS says most styes clear within about a week<\/td><\/tr>
    Main treatment<\/th>Warm compresses; steroid injection or drainage if it persists<\/td>Warm compresses; antibiotics if infection spreads<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    The NHS describes a chalazion as harder and “not very painful” compared with a stye. If you are not sure which you have, an eye doctor can tell by examining the lid. For more on the infected type, see our glossary entry on the stye (hordeolum).<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    What causes a chalazion?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    A chalazion is caused by obstruction of a meibomian gland, but several conditions make blockage more likely. According to EyeWiki, the strongest risk factors are:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t