Chalazion Treatment

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What is a Chalazion?

A chalazion is a blocked oil gland in the eyelid, most often a meibomian gland that continues producing oil even after its opening is clogged. Those meibomian glands sit just behind the eyelashes and create the oily outer layer of the tear film, which helps keep the surface of the eye comfortable and protects against evaporation. When the gland cannot empty normally, oil builds up inside the eyelid, causing inflammation, swelling, and, eventually, a lump sometimes called a meibomian cyst or eyelid chalazion.

Patients often notice a bump on the eyelid, mild irritation, heaviness, watering, or swelling. A chalazion may begin red and tender, but as the acute inflammation cools down, it usually becomes a more painless lump farther back in the lid than a stye. It can happen in the upper eyelid or lower eyelid, though upper-lid chalazia are common because there are more meibomian glands there. When the bump becomes large enough to press on the cornea, it can cause temporary blurred vision or make the eyelid feel heavy.

Chalazion removal explained by Dr. Coby Ray, MD, FACS, smiling in black scrubs against a blue background.

Chalazion vs Stye

Chalazion on upper eyelid near lash line, appearing as a small, localized red bump with mild swelling on a patient’s eye.

The question of chalazion vs stye is one of the most searched topics for a reason: the two bumps can look similar at first. A stye, also called a hordeolum, is usually an acute bacterial infection and is more painful. It typically appears near the eyelid margin.

An external hordeolum involves an infected eyelash follicle and the adjacent glands of Zeis or Moll
An internal hordeolum involves an infection of a meibomian gland within the lid.

A chalazion, by contrast, is usually a blocked, inflamed oil gland rather than an active bacterial infection. It tends to sit farther back in the eyelid and is often less painful once the initial swelling subsides.

A chalazion often develops after an internal hordeolum when the redness and warmth improve, but the blocked gland never drains normally. The leftover material hardens in the eyelid, forming the firm nodule that many patients can still feel weeks later. So if you were told you had a stye and now the redness is mostly gone, but the lump eyelid remains, the diagnosis may have shifted from hordeolum to chalazion.

Chalazion Care

A simple chalazion is also not contagious. It is a blocked gland, not a contagious infection you can “catch” from another person. Good hygiene still matters, though, because blepharitis, makeup contamination, or a coexisting stye can keep the eyelid irritated. It is also important not to squeeze, pop, or lance the area at home. Pushing on the lump can worsen inflammation and increase the chance of infection or skin irritation.

Finally, if the eyelid problem is accompanied by severe pain, fever, whole-lid redness, bleeding, new eyelash loss, eye-movement pain, or sudden visual change, it is not typical of a routine chalazion and should be evaluated promptly. Ophthalmology guidance specifically notes that ocular pain, constitutional symptoms, and limitation of eye movements should not be expected in a straightforward chalazion.

In-office Treatments

If the chalazion is large, recurrent, cosmetically significant, causing blurry vision, or simply refusing to resolve after several weeks of warm compresses, office-based treatment becomes more reasonable.

Intralesional Steroid Injection

A steroid injection may help reduce inflammation and shrink the chalazion. This treatment is often considered when the bump is persistent, inflamed, or located in an area where surgical drainage may not be the first choice. The injection is performed in the office and usually takes only a few minutes.

Chalazion Removal (Incision/Curettage)

For larger or long-lasting chalazia, the doctor may recommend an in-office procedure called incision and curettage, also known as chalazion removal or drainage. The eyelid is numbed, and a small incision is made, usually on the inside of the eyelid, to drain or remove the blocked material. This can help relieve irritation, improve the appearance of the eyelids, and reduce pressure on the eye.

A steroid injection may help reduce inflammation and shrink the chalazion. This treatment is often considered when the bump is persistent, inflamed, or located in an area where surgical drainage may not be the first choice. The injection is performed in the office and usually takes only a few minutes.

For larger or long-lasting chalazia, the doctor may recommend an in-office procedure called incision and curettage, also known as chalazion removal or drainage. The eyelid is numbed, and a small incision is made, usually on the inside of the eyelid, to drain or remove the blocked material. This can help relieve irritation, improve the appearance of the eyelids, and reduce pressure on the eye.

FAQ: Chalazion Treatment

Many chalazia improve within a few weeks, and many resolve within about a month with home care such as warm compresses and lid hygiene. Some last longer, especially when the gland remains blocked or when underlying blepharitis, rosacea, or meibomian gland dysfunction is still active. If the lump is still there after several weeks, keeps enlarging, or repeatedly returns, it is reasonable to see an eye doctor.

Yes. A larger chalazion can press on the surface of the eye and temporarily blur vision. That is one reason a “wait and see” plan is not always the right answer for a large upper-lid lesion, especially if you notice visual distortion, watering, or a heavy-lid feeling.

It is best to avoid eye makeup while the chalazion is active. With contact lenses, the answer depends on whether the lesion is a true noninfected chalazion or part of a painful stye/infection; AAO guidance notes that lenses may be okay for a noninfected chalazion, but many patients do better in glasses if the eyelid is irritated or if ointment is being used. When in doubt, ask your eye doctor before restarting lens wear.

No. A chalazion is not contagious because it is not primarily a bacterial infection. It is a blocked oil gland. Even so, it is still smart to practice good lid hygiene and avoid rubbing the eye, especially if you also have a stye, blepharitis, or inflamed skin around the lid.

You should consider in-office treatment if the lump is not improving with warm compresses, is affecting vision, appears atypical, or keeps recurring in the same place. Chronic lesions that fail standard care may need a biopsy to rule out an eyelid tumor, including sebaceous carcinoma, because malignancy can rarely masquerade as a chalazion. That is uncommon, but it is exactly why persistent or unusual eyelid bumps should not be ignored.