A chalazion, or meibomian cyst, is a harmless cyst that develops on the upper and/or lower eyelid. As the most common type of eyelid lump, a chalazion is a cystic inflammation from one of the oil-producing glands found in the eyelid. Although benign and not a threat to the patient, chalazia may vary in size, and are generally uncomfortable and unsightly. They’re also quite common in children, usually as a result of blepharitis.

What Are The Causes of Chalazia?

The upper and lower eyelids contain multiple meibomian glands which secrete oils into the tear film to keep the eyes lubricated. When these glands become blocked due to certain conditions such as blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea, a chalazion may develop.

What Are The Complications That Come With A Chalazion?

Although unsightly, chalazia rarely lead to any visual problems. If the chalazion becomes infected, this could lead to a preseptal cellulitis which must be treated with oral antibiotics. Often the cysts form into into a hard eyelid lump, which may be present for many months. There are a few things you should not do with a chalazion in order not to make it worse.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of a Chalazion?

A chalazion is typically characterised by a firm, red but painless swelling in the eyelid that develops over several weeks. Often, there may be more than one chalazion concentrated in the infected area, in both the upper and lower eyelids.

How Can You Prevent A Chalazion From Developing?

It’s possible to avoid getting a chalazion by practicing good lid hygiene. You should wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially before touching your eyes, eyelids, or the surrounding area. Wash your face daily and clean your eyelids with a cotton pad or a clean flannel with a drop of baby shampoo or a blepharitis cleaning solution. Medical treatment of skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis or acne rosacea can help to break the cycle of recurrent chalazia. There is limited evidence that certain supplements such as flax seed oil and omega 3 help to alter the oil composition of meibomian glands and prevent chalazia from recurring.

What Are The Treatments For Chalazia?

In most cases, a chalazion will resolve over time with the help of some home remedies, although this could take several weeks if not months. Treatment for chalazion include: Warm Compress - You can start treating a chalazion during its initial phase with a warm compress, such as a clean washcloth soaked and wrung in hot water. Gently hold the warm compress over the chalazion for 10 to 15 minutes up to six times a day. This will help liquify the hardened oil, and stimulate the blocked oil gland to drain itself naturally. Remember to keep the washcloth for your own personal use, so as to avoid contaminating others. Heated eye masks which can be bought over the counter are also highly effective, as these tend to retain heat for longer periods of time. Eye Massage – After your warm compress treatment, a gentle eye massage will further promote drainage of the meibomian glands. Make sure to wash your hands before applying pressure to the chalazion, and do not attempt to squeeze or pop it, as this will lead to tissue damage and further inflammation. Go Makeup Free – It is important to forego any kind of eye makeup until your chalazion completely heals, and to ensure that makeup has been thoroughly removed before going to bed. Mascaras, eyeliners and heavy eyeshadows can clog the meibomian gland orifices and can be a culprit of chalazia over time. If you’ve experienced a chalazion, be sure to replace all eye makeup during this period, as it may have been contaminated by the bacteria. Chalazion Surgery - This is a simple procedure which is performed under local anaesthetic to numb the eyelid. A small incision is made on the inside of the eyelid to allow the contents of the eye cyst to drain. This is effective in approximately 70% of patients. In certain patients, the cyst no longer contains liquid contents but is formed of inflammatory granulation tissue which do not respond well to surgery. Steroid Injection - Steroids may be injected into the cyst to treat the inflammatory granulation tissue. Your ophthalmologist will advise the best eyelid cyst treatment for you.

What is the recovery from a chalazion surgery?

Following surgery, you will be prescribed antibiotic ointment to use and a pad will be placed over the eye. We recommend keeping the pad on until the next morning. The antibiotic ointment is to be used four times per day for 5 days. At first, the eye may be bruised and swollen but this should subside over the following days. Although the majority of cysts should resolve, virtual follow up can be arranged if required.

Chalazion Removal

Q: One Stop Chalazion Service

We understand that a chalazion can be very frustrating to treat and unsightly and therefore you may opt to have it surgically removed. At The Ezra Clinic, we offer a one stop chalazion service where you can be reviewed and treated on the same day. This includes a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists, followed by surgery or steroid injection if required. This is performed as a day case procedure under local anaesthetic and takes about 30 minutes.

consult the under-eye experts

Most chalazia are not dangerous, but that does not make them any less frustrating. A persistent lump on the eyelid can affect your confidence, cause irritation and simply refuse to go away despite weeks of warm compresses. At The Ezra Clinic, our specialist ophthalmologists offer expert assessment and personalised chalazion treatment, from conservative management to same-day surgical removal where needed.

Key Information

PRICE

Call for more info

TIME OF PROCEDURE

30 mins

DOWNTIME

4-5 days

DISCOMFORT LEVEL

2 out of 5

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Monthly payment plans to suit every budget, including 0% finance and payment options starting from just £92.50. Terms and conditions apply.

When Does a Chalazion Need Treatment?

Although many chalazia gradually improve with warm compresses and good eyelid hygiene, some persist for weeks or continue to grow despite conservative treatment. A larger chalazion may become more noticeable, cause discomfort when blinking or even press against the eye, leading to blurred vision. If an eyelid lump does not resolve or keeps returning, an ophthalmologist should assess it to confirm the diagnosis and discuss the most appropriate treatment.

At The Ezra Clinic, we provide personalised chalazion treatment based on the size, duration and severity of your condition. Depending on your symptoms, this may involve continued conservative management, a steroid injection or a simple surgical procedure to remove the chalazion safely and effectively.

Chalazion Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the size of the chalazion, how long it has been present and whether it is causing symptoms. While many cases respond to conservative management, persistent or recurrent chalazia may require a more targeted approach.

One Stop Chalazion Service – Chalazion Surgery

A persistent chalazion can be frustrating, particularly when it does not improve despite weeks of warm compresses and careful eyelid hygiene. At The Ezra Clinic, we offer a one-stop chalazion service, allowing suitable patients to have both their consultation and treatment on the same day.

Your ophthalmologist will carefully assess your eyelid and recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your individual case. If surgical removal is advised, the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and usually takes around 30 minutes.

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Chalazion Removal

Chalazion removal is a simple surgical procedure. Using a local anaesthetic, a specialist numbs the eyelid before making a tiny incision on the inside of the eyelid. The incision allows the contents of the cyst to drain away. While this procedure is effective in 70% of chalazion patients, in some cases, the liquid has turned into granulation tissue. In some cases, a steroid injection may also be recommended to help resolve any remaining inflammation.

Chalazion Home Remedy

A common home remedy for chalazion is a warm compress. In rare cases, a chalazion will immediately drain when put under a compress, although it may later recur if the cause is not addressed.

Follow these steps:

Wash your hands and rinse them thoroughly.
Run a face cloth under hot water – not so hot it scalds.
Wring the cloth out to remove excess water, close your eyes, and gently place the cloth over the affected eye.
Clean the eye with diluted baby shampoo and a clean cotton pad, ensuring you use gentle, circular motions around the eyelashes

Always ensure you use clean cloths and pads, and if both eyes are affected, use a different one. This prevents bacteria from spreading from one eye to the other. Sometimes, the chalazion will not discharge under a warm compress and needs to be surgically removed.

Chalazion examples

Images left to right: cyst inside eyelid, chalazion upper eyelid, chalazion lower lid / lump on lower eyelid, cyst on eyelid

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Chalazion Removal FAQ

How long does the chalazion surgery take?

At The Ezra Clinic, you can have your consultation and treatment on the same day. If surgery is necessary, the procedure should take no more than 30 minutes.

What kind of anaesthesia is used?

Only local anaesthetic is required for chalazion removal and similar procedures. Your ophthalmic surgeon numbs the eyelid before draining the cyst.

Will I have scars after the treatment?

There is no scar on the skin, but there will be a small scar on the inside of the eyelid.

What are the risks and side effects of chalazion surgery?

The main risks of chalazion surgery are infection, a scar on the inside of the eyelid, and the chalazion not being fully treated. It’s important to treat underlying blepharitis to prevent more chalazia developing.

What is a chalazion?

A chalazion is a small lump that develops when one of the oil-producing meibomian glands in the eyelid becomes blocked. As oil builds up inside the gland, it forms a cyst beneath the skin of the eyelid. Chalazia are usually painless, although larger ones can cause irritation or blurred vision by pressing against the eye.

They most commonly occur on the upper eyelid and are often associated with conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea. Although most chalazia are harmless, any persistent or recurring eyelid lump should be assessed by an ophthalmologist to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

If you would like to learn more about what causes chalazia, how they differ from a stye, the symptoms to look out for and when you should seek specialist advice, read our detailed guide to chalazia.

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If you are interested in any of the treatments we offer, or require any clarifications, we would love to hear from you. We deal with all issues relating to the Harley Street and Moorfields practices. You can reach us by phone, by email or by filling out the contact form below.

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