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Chalazion (Lump in Eyelid)

Chalazion Overview

A chalazion is a lump of the lid that is caused by obstruction of an oil gland within the upper or lower eyelid. This lump may increase in size over days to weeks and may occasionally become red, warm, or painful.

The gland involved in the formation of a chalazion is a modified oil gland that lies within the eyelid. There are about 40 of these glands within each of the upper and lower lids. These glands secrete oil into the tears. When one of these glands becomes blocked, it can increase in size and cause a visible lump.

Although a sty is also a lump in the eyelid caused by obstruction of an oil gland, a chalazion is not a sty. A sty, or hordeolum, represents an acute infection of the gland. A chalazion is not an infection but is an inflammation of the area. Inflammation is a process in which the body reacts to a condition and produces a swelling, redness, pain, or warmth. A sty is usually more painful than a chalazion and may look infected.



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Chalazion (Lump in Eyelid)

Sty »

Stye Overview

A stye is an acute infection or inflammation of the secretory glands of the eyelids.

This common infection or inflammation results from blocked glands within the eyelid. When the gland is blocked, the oil produced by the gland occasionally backs up and extrudes through the wall of the gland, forming a lump, which can be red, painful, and nodular. Frequently, bacteria can infect the blocked gland, causing increased inflammation, pain, and redness of the eye, and even redness of the surrounding eyelid and cheek tissue.

The lump can point externally (outward) or internally (inward). Frequently, the lump appears with a visible whitish or yellowish spot that looks much like a large pimple. Usually, one obvious area of swelling is apparent on one lid, but many styes can appear on one or both eyelids simultaneously.

The lump frequently goes away when the blockage of the gland opening is relieved. Furthermore, the infection goe...

Read the Sty article »



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Chalazion »

A chalazion (Greek for hailstone) is a lipogranuloma of either a meibomian gland or a Zeis gland.

Read More on eMedicine »

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