Chalazion
You may have seen a bump on your eye before and wondered, what is this? It is possible that it was something called a chalazion. Chalazia are chronic inflammatory reactions that are caused by clogged glands in the eyelid. The tiny glands in the eyelids are called meibomian glands. When meibomian glands become clogged, which is called MGD or meibomian gland dysfunction, they become filled with oily material called sebum. This results in an inflammatory reaction and this inflammation is what becomes visible as a bump on the eyelid.
Chalazion vs stye
Contrary to popular belief, a chalazion is not the same thing as a stye, but they are on the same spectrum of disease. Another name for a stye is called a hordeolum. There are few subtle differences between chalazia and styes.
Chalazia are chronic reactions which means that they typically arise and dissipate slowly and they will often recur. Styes tend to arise quickly.
Chalazia are related to inflammation whereas styes are often a mix of infection and inflammation.
Often with styes you may see a whitish area on the bump which is a sign of pus or infection material inside the bump. Oftentimes, if this pus comes out the stye may improve significantly.
Styes or hordeolums may be redder and more tender than chronic chalazia. A chalazion is often a painless bump present for several weeks or even months.
One similarity between the two is that they can both be prevented by good eyelid hygiene. This means making sure to remove make up at night and keep lids and lashes clean. If you experience recurrent styes or chalazia you may also want to do a warm compress regularly to keep your glands open.
Learn how to order contact lenses online at 1-800 Contacts
Chalazion treatment
The first step in treating a chalazion is using warm compresses. The warm compress should be applied to the closed eyelid for at least 10 to 15 minutes, and you should attempt to do this at least four to eight times a day. The more heat the better. Be mindful of not causing injury to your skin from the heat. In some cases, a steroid or antibiotic can be helpful, but the mainstay of treating a chalazion is using warm compresses. The heat helps the inflammation to dissipate and reduces the swelling. A common mistake that people make when preparing a warm compress is using a wet towel in the microwave. This will get very hot quickly but will also cool very quickly. You will want to use something that retains heat for at least ten to fifteen minutes.
In addition to heat, you should follow your warm compresses with a lid scrub using a mild soap. Soaps that have minimal fragrance are a good choice. Good eyelid hygiene is important to treat and prevent chalazions. If your chalazion does not resolve using these methods, you may need surgical intervention by an ophthalmologist.
Chalazion healing stages
How do you know if your chalazion is getting better? The simple answer is that you will see it improve. You will notice that the bump on your eyelid is getting smaller. If you were experiencing discomfort, that will begin to go down as well. You should continue warm compresses until the swelling is completely gone, as it is very common for chalazia to recur. If you are prone to getting chalazia, you can also consider a daily or twice daily warm compress to keep your meibomian glands functioning well. Remember to also do a mild eyelid scrub and be sure to remove make up before going to bed.
See how to get free shipping on affordable lenses, as well as the time it takes to get them and how to save time and money on the entire process. How much are contact lenses? Compare the prices of daily, weekly, biweekly, and monthly contact lenses and find the best option for you. See where to order contacts online, according to price and shipping times. Compare top online retailers to find the best deal for you. Everything you need to know about contact lenses
Free shipping for contact lenses
How much do contacts cost?
Where to order contacts online