THE CHALAZION

is a fairly common eyelid condition caused by repeated inflammations of the eyelid margin, or blepharitis.

Inflammation of the eyelid margin is caused by the body’s hypersensitivity to a common bacteria that is present on the human skin. When the tiny sebaceous glands in the eyelid become blocked as a result of inflammation, a small swelling occurs. This condition is called chalazion.

The size of the halasion changes over a few weeks. As a result of a warm compress and/or cleaning the eyelid, the swollen part may “burst” on its own. Sometimes the chalazion hardens and needs to be surgically removed. That procedure is performed using local anesthesia.

Sometimes the inflammation caused by a chalazion can make the whole eyelid inflamed, and in this case antibiotics must be taken. But this rarely happens.

The symptoms of a chalazion:

• a small bump forms on the eyelid
• may cause slight irritation and pain, especially in the beginning (later the pain will subdue)
• risk of inflammation
• vision is not affected

How to avoid a chalazion?

We recommend cleaning the eyelids daily, to avoid the formation of a chalazion.