A chalazion is a lump found on your eyelid. Your eyelid is a fold of tissue that protects your eye and controls the flow of tears. On the edge of your upper and lower eyelids are oil glands that keep your eyes moist. If you have an infection in your eyelid, the oil glands may become blocked. An infection is caused by germs called bacteria. When the opening of an oil gland is blocked, oil collects in your eyelid. Too much oil could form a chalazion.
A chalazion may be small and then slowly grow bigger. You may also have a group of small chalazions in one area of your eyelid. A chalazion may last months or even years. With treatment, your chalazion may go away faster than if you do not have treatment. You may also learn the cause of your chalazion. Some patients may find out that cancer caused the chalazion. Learning that the lump is due to cancer allows you to be treated sooner.
What are the signs and symptoms of a chalazion? A small lump on your eyelid may be a sign that you have a chalazion. A chalazion usually does not hurt. Your chalazion may cause any of the following:
Burning feeling in your eyelid.
Drooping of your eyelid.
Inflammation (swelling and redness) in the eyelid with your chalazion.
Itching of your eye or eyelid.
Trouble seeing things.
How is a chalazion diagnosed? Your caregiver will ask you when you first noticed the lump on your eye. He will also ask you about your symptoms. He will check your eyelid carefully to learn more about the lump. Your caregiver will try to figure out if the cause of your lump is a chalazion. He may do a test called fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). During FNAC, your caregiver will use a needle to remove a small piece of your chalazion. The piece of your chalazion is then sent to a lab for to see what made it grow. This test is also done to check if the lump has cancer in it.
How is a chalazion treated? Your caregiver may teach you ways to keep your chalazion clean. He may also show you how to put warm and cold pressure on it, called a compress. If your chalazion does not go away, you may need a steroid shot or surgical treatment. Your caregiver will decide which treatment is best for you.
Steroid medicine: You may be given a shot of steroid medicine in the eyelid to decrease inflammation. Steroid shots are often given if you have more than one chalazion. You may also get steroid medicine if you have a small chalazion. Steroid treatment for your chalazion is usually done in your caregiver's office.
Surgery: You may need surgery if your chalazion is large or becomes infected. You may also need surgery to remove your chalazion if it comes back after treatment. During surgery, a small cut will be made on the eyelid. Your caregiver may use a knife to remove the chalazion. He may also use a laser or a tool that uses heat to remove the chalazion. These tools may help prevent bleeding. You may feel pressure as your caregiver removes your chalazion. A patch may be put over your eye to help keep it clean and safe from injury.
What are the risks of having a chalazion treated?
Anesthesia medicine used to numb your eye may cause pain and burning. Surgery may cause a scar on your eyelid. You may need more than one surgery to remove your chalazion. If you have a steroid shot, you may need to return to your caregiver for more shots. Steroid shots may cause your eyelid skin to scar or change color where you got your shot. The pressure inside your eye may increase. The blood vessels in your eye may also get plugged up. The shot may make a hole in your eye and require surgery to fix it.
If you do not have treatment for your chalazion, the chalazion may grow bigger. It may also last over a year or more. You may have trouble moving your eyelid. The chalazion may also cause problems with your eyesight. You might not find out if the cause of your chalazion is cancer. If you do not get cancer treated, it can spread to other parts of your eye. Ask your caregiver for more information about these risks.
When should I call my caregiver? Call your caregiver if:
The swelling and redness on your eyelid does not seem to be getting better.
You see or feel a new lump on your eyelid.
You feel pressure behind your eyes.
You have trouble moving your eyes.
When should I seek immediate help? Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
Your eyelid or eye begins to bleed.
Your vision suddenly becomes worse.
Your eyelid suddenly swells up much worse.
Where can I find more information? You may feel scared or worried about having surgery or a shot in your eyelid. Contact the following for more information:
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health 202 Vision Pl. Bethesda, MD 20892-3655 Phone: 1-301-496-5248 Web Address: www.nei.nih.gov
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
