Recently, an intriguing case walked through our doors—a patient with a curious bump on her eyelid! At first, she experienced pain, but surprisingly, that discomfort had vanished. She shared that normally she wouldn’t bother getting it checked out, but her husband insisted it was worth a look. After all, who wouldn’t be concerned about something like that?
While it might seem like a minor issue, this little bump can lead to discomfort, vision disturbances, and even more serious complications if left unchecked.
Here’s where it gets fascinating! If you’ve been following our discussions, you might remember our talk about styles (also known as hordeolum). In this case, the bump on her eyelid looked very much like a stye—but guess what? It wasn’t! So, what was it? It turned out to be a chalazion!
In this post, we’re diving into the exciting world of chalazion! Let’s explore their causes, symptoms, and the best treatment options to tackle them. You won’t want to miss this!
WHAT IS CHALAZION?
A chalazion is a small, typically painless swelling on the eyelid; it is a type of eyelid cyst that develops when the meibomian gland, responsible for producing oil to keep the eyes lubricated, becomes obstructed. This obstruction leads to an accumulation of oil, forming a lump on the eyelid. Initially, the chalazion may cause discomfort, but it usually becomes painless over time. This type of cyst usually occurs on the underside of the upper eyelid but can occasionally appear on the lower eyelid. A chalazion is sometimes referred to as an eyelid cyst or a meibomian cyst
CAUSES OF CHALAZION
Factors contributing to the development of a chalazion include:
1. Blocked oil gland: The meibomian gland may get blocked due to inflammation, infection, or various other factors.
2. Poor eyelid hygiene: Infrequent cleaning of the eyelids can result in the buildup of dirt, oil, and bacteria, potentially causing a chalazion.
3. Hormonal changes: Variations in hormone levels during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause can impact the oil glands and lead to a chalazion.
4. Other medical conditions: Certain health issues, including acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis, can raise the likelihood of developing a chalazion.
We will stop here, and in our next post,, we will highlight the difference between chalazion and stye. Until then if you are experiencing or know someone who has a swollen, non-painful bump on the eyelid, visit TREETOP VISION EYE CENTRE (TREVEC), the best eye clinic in Utako-Abuja.
TREVEC CARES!!!
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