Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Chalazion?What Surgery EntailsPurposeHow to Prepare for Chalazion SurgeryWhat to ExpectRecoveryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Chalazion?
What Surgery Entails
Purpose
How to Prepare for Chalazion Surgery
What to Expect
Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
A chalazion is a rubbery, firm, painless bump or swelling that can develop within the eyelid. It occurs when an oil-producing gland in the eyelid becomes blocked. Chalazia (plural for chalazion) may form in the upper or lower eyelid, though the upper is more common.
A chalazion—especially a small one—will likely go away on its own over a period of days to weeks. If it persists or is large and causing symptoms like blurred vision or eye irritation, it may need to be surgically removed.
This article discusses why a chalazion may pop up, when surgery to treat it may be needed, and what’s involved.
Andrei310/Getty Images
A chalazion is abump that forms in the eyelidjust behind the eyelashes. Chalazia happen when a meibomian gland becomes blocked. The meibomian gland produces an oily substance that helps lubricate your eye.
Chalazia may be related to viral conjunctivitis, a viral infection of the eye, but they can also be related to eye conditions that cause inflammation, such as blepharitis and seborrheic dermatitis.
Chalazia are benign, which means they are not cancerous. A chalazion can look similar to a certain kind of cancer, however, so if you have one that does not seem to be improving over time, see your healthcare provider.
What Chalazion Surgery Entails
During this outpatient procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the eyelid and removes the oily content of the chalazion with a surgical tool called a curette.
The surgery may be performed in adults or children.Local anesthesiaorgeneral anesthesiamay be used, though the latter is more common for young children.
Chalazion vs. StyeSometimes a chalazion can be confused with astye. Themain differencesare that chalazia tend to be painless whereas styes are tender, redder, and exhibit more signs of inflammation overall. Also, styes are usually located on the edge of the eyelid, whereas chalazia form in the eyelid, away from the edges.
Chalazion vs. Stye
Sometimes a chalazion can be confused with astye. Themain differencesare that chalazia tend to be painless whereas styes are tender, redder, and exhibit more signs of inflammation overall. Also, styes are usually located on the edge of the eyelid, whereas chalazia form in the eyelid, away from the edges.
Contraindications
Any of the following may prevent you from being able to have chalazion surgery:
Potential Risks
Possible risks involved with chalazion surgery include:
Purpose and Indications
Chalazion surgery is done to alleviate symptoms and any negative impact the eyelid bump is having on a patient.
Specifically, surgery may be indicated if:
Keep in mind that while being assessed for chalazion surgery, your doctor may suggest an alternative, less invasive treatment—injecting acorticosteroidinto the chalazion.
Steroid injections for chalazia are intended to reduceinflammationand the redness, swelling, and tenderness it causes. While considered safe and potentially helpful, permanent lightening of the skin may occur around where the shot was given.
If chalazion surgery is a go, further medical clearance will likely be needed if general anesthesia is planned. This clearance can usually be accomplished through a visit with a pediatrician or primary care physician.
At your pre-operative appointment, your doctor will review the steps involved in your surgery, including the preparatory and recovery processes.
Location
Chalazion surgery is performed in an office-based facility, outpatient surgical center, or hospital. The last two are the only locations where a procedure involving general anesthesia can be done.
What to Wear
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes on the day of your surgery. You may want to wear a shirt or blouse that buttons or zips in the front so you don’t have to pull it over your head at the end of the day when you are home.
Something that is easy to take off/put back on is best if general anesthesia is planned, as you will be required to change into a hospital gown upon arrival.
Finally, avoid putting on makeup on the day of your chalazion surgery. If you normally wear contact lenses, be sure to wear glasses that day.
Food and Drink
If undergoing general anesthesia, avoid eating, or giving any food to your child, after midnight on the eve of surgery. Clear liquids may be allowed up to two hours prior to your scheduled arrival time.
Medications
Patients can probably take their usual medications on the day of chalazion surgery. But there are some exceptions, including medications that may increase the risk of bleeding, likenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Double-check this with your doctor beforehand to be certain.
Before surgery, tell your doctor all of the drugs you are taking including prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, herbal remedies, and recreational drugs.
What to Bring
On the day of surgery, bring your ID and insurance card. Also, bring along someone to drive you home after your procedure.
If your child is undergoing chalazion surgery, consider bringing their favorite stuffed animal or toy to help soothe them after the procedure is over.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
For adults undergoing general anesthesia, stop smoking as soon as possible prior to surgery.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Here is what you can generally expect before, during, and after chalazion surgery.
Before the Surgery
Upon arrival at the hospital, doctor’s office, or surgical center, you will be led into a small pre-operative/holding area. If you are getting general anesthesia, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown at this time. A nurse will then place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm.
Your doctor will then come to greet you and briefly review the procedure with you.
From there, you will walk into the procedure/operating room.
If your child is having chalazion surgery with local anesthesia, they may be given a sedative to help them fall into a deep sleep first.
During the Surgery
Chalazion surgery takes about 20 to 45 minutes to perform.
Here’s how a procedure using local anesthesia proceeds:
Typically, the incision site is usually left to heal on its own. But if a large chalazion is removed, the surgeon may close the incision site with dissolvable stitches.
Contents of the chalazion may be sent to a lab, especially if the chalazion has been present for a long time or is a recurrent one. Apathologistwill examine the contents to rule out potentialeyelid cancers.
After the Surgery
If you underwent local anesthesia, you will be able to go home right after the procedure.
If you underwent local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, you will be taken to a recovery area to slowly wake up. Once you are fully awake and ready, you will be discharged home with post-operative instructions.
Recovery From Chalazion Surgery
Recovery is expected to take around a week, although the timeline may be slightly shorter or longer depending on the location and size of the chalazion.
You may experience some minor and temporary side effects from chalazion surgery, including:
As you recover at home, your surgeon may advise:
Double-check with your surgeon, but you can most likely shower right after surgery. However, you may be asked to avoid getting water in your eyes for a week or so.
You can likely resume your normal work and household activities right after surgery as well, so long as they don’t involve the above restrictions.
Your doctor will ask to see you at a follow-up appointment a week after your procedure.
Long-Term Care
Even though recovery from chalazion surgery is relatively short, your eyelid may remain slightly inflamed for several weeks.As a result, your doctor may ask to see you again in a couple of months after surgery to make sure everything has resolved.
For the long-term, you will also want to try and prevent new chalazia from forming.
Helpful habits to consider include:
In some instances, certain complementary therapies may be recommended to help combat eyelid inflammation, such as omega-3 supplements and/orflaxseed oil.Be sure to only use these treatments under the guidance of your doctor.
Possible Future Surgeries
Future surgical interventions may be required if new chalazia form and/or if a complication from surgery develops.
A Word From Verywell
If you think you have a chalazion, try not to worry yourself too much. In the vast majority of cases, these eyelid bumps get better with simple, at-home therapies.
In the event that you do end up needing surgery, the good news is that your outcome should be excellent.
Yes, there are antibiotic eye drops used to treat a chalazion. However, you will likely need a prescription from a doctor. If this treatment does not lead to signs of improvement, surgical removal may be recommended.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghosh C, Ghosh T.Eyelid lesions. Jacobs DS, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA.Das N, Nasir AS.Comparison of intralesional kenacort injection versus surgical intervention for primary chalazion.Pak J Ophthalmol. 2019;35(3). doi:10.36351/pjo.v35i3.965American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Chalazion.University of Michigan Health.Styes and Chalazia.McNulty A. Louisville Eye Center.Medical & Surgical Treatment of ChalaziaAlsuhaibani AH, Al-Faky YH.Large anterior orbital cyst as a late complication of chalazion surgical drainage.Eye (Lond).2015 Apr; 29(4): 585–587. doi:10.1038/eye.2014.339Bipat R, Jiawan D, Toelsie JR.A Case of Recurrent Chalazia Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.Case Rep Ophthalmol.2020 Jun 9;11(2):212-216. doi:10.1159/000508603Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Chalazion.Cleveland Clinic.Chalazion.American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for Surgery: ChecklistUniversity of Pittsburg Medical Center.General Anesthesia.University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Arkansas Children’s Hospital.Chalazion Incision and Curettage.University of Michigan Health System. Kellogg Eye Center.Chalazion Treatment.RealSelf. Eyelid Surgery Questions.How long will I recover after Chalazion surgery?Yen MT. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeWiki.Chalazion.Stanford Health Care.Chalazion and Stye Treatment.Additional ReadingWu AY, Gervasio KA, Gergoudis KN, Wei C, Oestreicher JH, Harbey JT.Conservative therapy for chalazia: is it really effective?Acta Ophthalmol.2018; 96(4): e503–e509. doi:10.1111/aos.13675
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ghosh C, Ghosh T.Eyelid lesions. Jacobs DS, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA.Das N, Nasir AS.Comparison of intralesional kenacort injection versus surgical intervention for primary chalazion.Pak J Ophthalmol. 2019;35(3). doi:10.36351/pjo.v35i3.965American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Chalazion.University of Michigan Health.Styes and Chalazia.McNulty A. Louisville Eye Center.Medical & Surgical Treatment of ChalaziaAlsuhaibani AH, Al-Faky YH.Large anterior orbital cyst as a late complication of chalazion surgical drainage.Eye (Lond).2015 Apr; 29(4): 585–587. doi:10.1038/eye.2014.339Bipat R, Jiawan D, Toelsie JR.A Case of Recurrent Chalazia Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.Case Rep Ophthalmol.2020 Jun 9;11(2):212-216. doi:10.1159/000508603Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Chalazion.Cleveland Clinic.Chalazion.American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for Surgery: ChecklistUniversity of Pittsburg Medical Center.General Anesthesia.University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Arkansas Children’s Hospital.Chalazion Incision and Curettage.University of Michigan Health System. Kellogg Eye Center.Chalazion Treatment.RealSelf. Eyelid Surgery Questions.How long will I recover after Chalazion surgery?Yen MT. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeWiki.Chalazion.Stanford Health Care.Chalazion and Stye Treatment.Additional ReadingWu AY, Gervasio KA, Gergoudis KN, Wei C, Oestreicher JH, Harbey JT.Conservative therapy for chalazia: is it really effective?Acta Ophthalmol.2018; 96(4): e503–e509. doi:10.1111/aos.13675
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ghosh C, Ghosh T.Eyelid lesions. Jacobs DS, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA.Das N, Nasir AS.Comparison of intralesional kenacort injection versus surgical intervention for primary chalazion.Pak J Ophthalmol. 2019;35(3). doi:10.36351/pjo.v35i3.965American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Chalazion.University of Michigan Health.Styes and Chalazia.McNulty A. Louisville Eye Center.Medical & Surgical Treatment of ChalaziaAlsuhaibani AH, Al-Faky YH.Large anterior orbital cyst as a late complication of chalazion surgical drainage.Eye (Lond).2015 Apr; 29(4): 585–587. doi:10.1038/eye.2014.339Bipat R, Jiawan D, Toelsie JR.A Case of Recurrent Chalazia Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.Case Rep Ophthalmol.2020 Jun 9;11(2):212-216. doi:10.1159/000508603Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Chalazion.Cleveland Clinic.Chalazion.American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for Surgery: ChecklistUniversity of Pittsburg Medical Center.General Anesthesia.University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Arkansas Children’s Hospital.Chalazion Incision and Curettage.University of Michigan Health System. Kellogg Eye Center.Chalazion Treatment.RealSelf. Eyelid Surgery Questions.How long will I recover after Chalazion surgery?Yen MT. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeWiki.Chalazion.Stanford Health Care.Chalazion and Stye Treatment.
Ghosh C, Ghosh T.Eyelid lesions. Jacobs DS, ed. UpToDate. Waltham, MA.
Das N, Nasir AS.Comparison of intralesional kenacort injection versus surgical intervention for primary chalazion.Pak J Ophthalmol. 2019;35(3). doi:10.36351/pjo.v35i3.965
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.Chalazion.
University of Michigan Health.Styes and Chalazia.
McNulty A. Louisville Eye Center.Medical & Surgical Treatment of Chalazia
Alsuhaibani AH, Al-Faky YH.Large anterior orbital cyst as a late complication of chalazion surgical drainage.Eye (Lond).2015 Apr; 29(4): 585–587. doi:10.1038/eye.2014.339
Bipat R, Jiawan D, Toelsie JR.A Case of Recurrent Chalazia Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.Case Rep Ophthalmol.2020 Jun 9;11(2):212-216. doi:10.1159/000508603
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Chalazion.
Cleveland Clinic.Chalazion.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Preparing for Surgery: Checklist
University of Pittsburg Medical Center.General Anesthesia.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Arkansas Children’s Hospital.Chalazion Incision and Curettage.
University of Michigan Health System. Kellogg Eye Center.Chalazion Treatment.
RealSelf. Eyelid Surgery Questions.How long will I recover after Chalazion surgery?
Yen MT. American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeWiki.Chalazion.
Stanford Health Care.Chalazion and Stye Treatment.
Wu AY, Gervasio KA, Gergoudis KN, Wei C, Oestreicher JH, Harbey JT.Conservative therapy for chalazia: is it really effective?Acta Ophthalmol.2018; 96(4): e503–e509. doi:10.1111/aos.13675
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
