CHALAZIA AND STYES

Your eyelids are very important. They do much to protect your eyes from approaching objects and irritating particles in the air. When you blink, your eyelids help to remove foreign objects and distribute tears, which lubricate the eyes. But, sometimes your eyelids can have problems and need care. Two common conditions that affect your eyelids are chalazia and styes.

A chalazion results from a blockage of one or more of the small oil producing glands (meibomiam glands) that are found in the upper and lower eyelids. These blockages trap the oil produced by the glands and cause a lump on the eyelids that is usually about a size of a pea.

These are usually relatively painless. If the chalazion becomes infected, the eyelids can become swollen, inflamed and more painful.

Styes are often confused with chalazia. Styes are infections or abscesses of an eyelid gland near an eyelash root or follicle.
They generally occur nearer to the edge, or margin of the eyelid than do chalazia, where they form a red, sore lump similar to a boil or pimple.

In some cases, both chalazia and styes may come to a head and drain on their own without treatment. However, in most instances, they do not.

Applying hot compresses and antibiotic eye drops may treat a chalazion. In some cases, steroid drugs may be injected into or adjacent to the site of the chalazion. A chalazion may also be treated by surgical incision and drainage when necessary.
Styes may also be treated with hot compresses. Frequently, antibiotic and/or steroid eye drops or ointments may be needed.

Chalazia and styes most often respond to well treatment. If left untreated, however, they can be uncomfortable, unattractive and can lead to other problems. Occasionally, chalazia and styes recur. If this happens too frequently, your doctor of optometry may recommend additional tests to determine if other health problems may be contributing to their development.

Directions for application of hot compresses:

• Wash your hands thoroughly
• Moisten a clean washcloth with hot water
• Close eyes and place the washcloth on the eyelid for about 10-15mins
• Remoisten washcloth as necessary to keep hot
• Repeat at least 4times a day