Chalazion or Stye: What is the Difference and Treatment

By Dr. A.C. Flynn

Eyelids are complex structures, complete with nerves, muscles, glands and hair follicles. For this reason, eyelids lumps and bumps are common but can often be uncomfortable and cosmetically unpleasant. Styes (technical term – hordeolum) and chalazion are both lid bumps with different reasons for occurrence.

Stye vs. Chalazion – What’s the difference?

The main difference is a stye (hordeolum) is an acute, infected and often painful lid bump and a chalazion is a chronic, non-infectious, and usually painless lid bump.

Styes are typically a rapid onset bump with accompanying redness and swelling. Depending on the size and location, they are typically treated with a combination of warm compresses followed by gentle massage and antibiotic oral or topical medications.

Chalazion develop slowly, typically over weeks. They are firm, more compact and without pain and redness. Chalazion can also be treated with warm compresses and lid massage, but more persistent cases may require a dose of steroids.

In both cases, minor in-office procedures may be needed to get rid of stubborn lid bumps.

Prevention of Styes and Chalazaion

While anyone can experience a chalazion or stye, there are certain practices that you can follow to prevent them from occurring in the first place. To prevent chalazions and styes from forming, it is important to maintain good hygiene around the eyes. This includes:

Washing your hands before touching your eye area or removing contact lenses
Cleaning your face prior to bed to remove any environment irritants or makeup
Replacing your contacts regularly
Replacing eye makeup every 3 months
Special preparation lid scrubs or lid forms, designed to keep lid margin clean

The most common cause of styes and other issues of the lid margin is condition called blepharitis. The glands and hair follicles of our eyelids have natural bacteria and microbes that inhabit them. When there are too many of these microbes, infections occur leading to trouble – such as styes, conjunctivitis (aka “pink eye”) and general eye irritation.

Seeking Treatment with Thomas Eye Doctor

If you are experiencing a stye or chalazion that is impacting your vision or daily life, we recommend consulting with one of our eye care experts for assistance. Recurring chalazions or styes may also be an indication of other risk factors varying from skin conditions to cancer, so it is important to see an optometrist or ophthalmologist if the issue persists. Click the button below to schedule an appointment with us online or call 678.892.2020 today.

About A.C. Flynn, O.D.

Amber Carissa “A.C.” Flynn, O.D. is a board-licensed comprehensive optometrist serving patients at our Newnan and Peachtree City locations. She offers a range of services including comprehensive eye exams with prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lens, and treatment of various ocular conditions such as dry eye disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease, among others.