What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Eyelid Bump (due to Chalazion)
• Meibomian Gland Cyst
• Tarsal Cyst (due to Chalazion)

What is Chalazion? (Definition/Background Information)

• A Chalazion is a benign, slow-growing, inflamed lump or cyst, formed in the upper or lower eyelid. Sometimes, it can occur in both the eyelids. The word “Chalazion” has its origins in Greek, and translates to ‘small pimple’ in that language
• Exposure to air pollutants and not cleaning the eyes on a regular basis are some of the known risk factors for developing Chalazion. The condition can affect any individual, irrespective of age, gender, race, or ethnicity
• The usually painless cyst is caused by either a blockage, or an infection of the meibomian gland duct. The meibomian gland (also known as the tarsal gland) supplies oil or sebum that prevents the eye film from drying-up
• While some Chalazia may be tiny, most may often be visible as lumps on the eyelid. Some reported symptoms of Chalazion include heaviness and tenderness of eyelids, eye irritation and watering, swelling around the Chalazion, sensitivity to light, etc. Occasionally, headache and fever might occur
• A progressively growing Chalazion may place adverse pressure on the eye ball, or even cause a temporary disruption in vision. Some potential complications from the condition include astigmatism owing to pressure on the eyeball, recurrence of Chalazion, skin discoloration, etc.  Sometimes, post-surgical infection could occur as well
• Warm compresses to the affected eyelid, administration of corticosteroid injections, or minor surgical procedures are used to treat a Chalazion; although, in many cases, the condition is self-limiting. The prognosis of Chalazion is usually excellent with adequate treatment

Who gets Chalazion? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Any individual is prone to a Chalazion formation. It is non-specific to any age or gender
• No racial or ethnic predilection is observed

What are the Risk Factors for Chalazion? (Predisposing Factors)

The potential risk factors of Chalazion may be:

• Exposure to air pollutants
• Not keeping the eye clean, regularly

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Chalazion? (Etiology)

• The meibomian glands, also known as the oil glands, are numerous in quantity (over 40 on each eyelid) and are located on the lower and upper eyelids. They release oil, to keep the eye (tear) film continuously lubricated
• If under certain conditions the oil gland orifices are clogged, then the oil fills the gland and gets swollen, leading to the formation of a Chalazion
• In some cases, the oil thickens to a point that it cannot flow out of the gland and forms a visible, lumpy mass
• If the gland wall breaks, then it leads to inflammation, redness, and pain

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Chalazion?

Most Chalazia (plural of Chalazion) are visible as lumps on the eyelids; however, some may be very tiny.  A few signs and symptoms are:

• Heaviness and tenderness of the eyelid
• Constant shedding of tears, due to irritation caused by the bump
• Increased light sensitivity
• Painful swelling around the region
• In some cases, fever and headaches may be experienced

How is Chalazion Diagnosed?

• The ophthalmologist (or the physician) usually performs a complete eye examination to verify the diagnosis
• Biopsies of the Chalazion tissues are performed, only when there is a suspicion of a cancer - the specimen is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, to arrive at a definitive diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Chalazion?

Complications due to Chalazion (also known as Meibomian Cyst) could include:

• Pressure on the eyeball leading to astigmatism
• Recurrence of the Chalazion, even after treatment
• A loss of skin coloration around the region, or even corneal deformation could occur owing to some of the treatment methods employed
• An infection, accidental injury to the neighboring tissue, or bleeding could occur as a result of complications during or due to the surgery

How is Chalazion Treated?

A few treatment measures for Chalazion may include:

• Applying warm compresses to the infected eyelid, once every 3-4 hours, to give a measure of relief
• If the enlargement continues, corticosteroid injections may be used on small cysts
• Applying topical ointments or using eye drops, are not of any significant value for long-term cysts
• Minor surgical procedures to remove the cysts, are performed only as a last resort when all other treatment methods have failed. The procedure involves incising both the eyelids and the meibomian glands. Surgical procedures to treat a Chalazion may also be performed for cosmetic purposes. This is called marsupialization of Chalazion
• Recent advances involve the use of laser techniques, to remove Chalazion

However, most Chalazion formations are self-limiting and they disappear after a few months, without any treatment.

How can Chalazion be Prevented?

Keeping eyelids properly clean, in order to prevent clogging of the meibomian (oil) glands, can reduce the incidence of Chalazion, as well as its recurrence.

What is the Prognosis of Chalazion? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• A Chalazion may heal by itself without any treatment (usually within a month’s time)
• The prognosis with adequate treatment is usually excellent
• Generally, the recovery from any surgical procedure (to treat Chalazion) is also excellent. However, due to the sensitivity of the region and a possibility of secondary infections, such invasive procedures are only rarely employed
• Once afflicted with the condition, many individuals are found to have recurrent Chalazion formations, in different parts of the eyelid

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Chalazion:

The following article link will help you understand the surgical procedure:

http://www.dovemed.com/common-procedures/procedures-surgical/chalazion-removal/