Styes and chalazia are bumps in or along the eyelid. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between these two types of growths. A stye is typically a painful red lump that grows from the base of the eyelash or under the eyelid. Styes are usually caused by a bacterial infection. Chalazia, the most common type of eyelid lumps, are caused by blocked, inflamed glands. They are most likely to occur on upper eyelids and are usually not painful. Both typically resolve on their own and can be treated with warm compresses.
A stye may be caused by an infection in the hair follicle or in an oil-producing gland in the eyelid. Charlazia typically happen when the eyelid’s oil gland clog either because the oil is too thick or because the gland is inflamed.
Styes and chalazia may make your eyelid red, tender, swollen, or scratchy. Some bumps may look like pimples and have a small puss spot in the center. Your eye may become more sensitive to light. You may experience crusting and tearing. A stye may feel hot and tender. It may swell for a few days before breaking open and draining.
A chalazion may start as a hard cyst under the skin. If it gets large, it may press on the eye and cause blurry vision. Inflammation and swelling may spread to the area around the eye. It could take several weeks to heal.
Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history. Doctors diagnose these problems by closely examining the eyelid. An external hordeolum may be diagnosed if a stye begins at the base of the eyelash. An internal hordeolum is a stye inside the eyelid. Most are caused by an infection in an oil-producing gland in your eyelid. If there is a hard lump inside the eyelid, the doctor will probably diagnose it as a chalazion.
Usually, special treatment is not required. Patients can manage discomfort with a warm compress. Apply for five to 10 minutes at a time, several times a day. Over-the-counter eye drops may also help relieve styes and chalazia. Do not try to squeeze them. In some cases, your eye doctor may recommend a steroid shot to help ease the swelling or a surgical procedure to drain the bump.
The Cizik Eye Clinic opened in 2007 and is housed in Memorial Hermann Plaza at 6400 Fannin Street. It includes dozens of exam areas, multiple operating rooms, and laser suites equipped with the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.
People travel from across the country and the world for treatment at the Cizik Eye Clinic, in part because our affiliation with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth provides unmatched resources and expertise. Our friendly staff works diligently to make your visit pleasant and efficient, as we maximize patient flow through everything from routine eye exams to the most advanced eye surgeries.
Our physicians are faculty members at McGovern Medical School and are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or are board eligible. At the Cizik Eye Clinic, we understand that the eye is a small part of a whole patient who deserves top-notch, comprehensive care in a cutting-edge facility.
At Robert Cizik Eye Clinic, we offer patients access to highly specialized eye and vision care. To ask us a question, schedule an appointment, or learn more about us, please call (713) 486-9400, or click below to send us a message. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.