Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy · Last reviewed June 5, 2026 · Review policy (Arabic)
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A chalazion is a small, slow-growing lump or cyst inside the eyelid. It is usually painless and rarely lasts more than a few weeks. It develops when one of the meibomian glands along the edge of the eyelid becomes blocked or inflamed — these glands produce the oily secretion that keeps the surface of the eye lubricated.
In its early days a chalazion looks like a small red or inflamed patch on the eyelid. Over a few days it can grow into a slow-developing, painless lump. It can appear on either lid, though the upper one is more common. And painless does not mean unnoticeable: a chalazion can cause watering and irritation, and a larger one may press on the eyeball itself and blur your vision.
People often use the two words interchangeably, but they describe different conditions. A chalazion arises from a blocked meibomian gland. A stye (hordeolum) is an infection of the oil glands at the lid margin or at the base of an eyelash. The clearest way to tell them apart? A chalazion is generally painless, while a stye often hurts and makes the eye feel inflamed and gritty.
Other symptoms of a stye can include:
A stye usually grows for about 3 days before the pus begins to drain, and typically takes around a week to resolve.
A chalazion typically develops in someone who already has an inflammatory condition affecting the eyes or skin — chronic blepharitis, rosacea, or seborrhoeic dermatitis. It can also follow viral conjunctivitis, a form of eye inflammation.
A chalazion typically clears up on its own within a few weeks. Still, there are several safe ways to speed the healing along:
A warm compress on the affected eye helps loosen oil that has hardened and blocked the gland duct. Once the duct can open and drain properly, the irritation eases.
1. Use a dry warm compress rather than a wet one — moisture can worsen inflammation of the skin around the eye.
2. Place the compress on the eyelid for 10–15 minutes.
3. Gently massage the eyelids for a few minutes each day; this helps the oil ducts drain more effectively.
4. Repeat several times a day until the swelling subsides.
Skip eye makeup and contact lenses until the chalazion has healed — both add irritation you don't need.
Hasn't cleared after two weeks? That is the point to see an ophthalmologist. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine the area to rule out other conditions, and may prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops or ointments to reduce discomfort and speed healing. For some patients a steroid injection is used to bring the swelling down — a decision that depends on the location, size, and number of lesions. If there are signs of bacterial infection, a course of oral antibiotics may be recommended.
Your doctor may suggest a small surgical procedure, done under local anaesthesia, to drain the chalazion. Chalazia can sometimes come back. If recurrence is frequent, the doctor may take a biopsy — a small tissue sample — to examine for signs of a more serious underlying condition.
Daily eyelid hygiene goes a long way toward stopping chalazia from forming or recurring. Lid scrubs or cleansing wipes help keep the meibomian glands from clogging. To keep infection at bay:
– Avoid rubbing the eyes.
– Keep your hands clean before touching the eyes.
– Protect the eyes from dust and airborne particles — sunglasses outdoors, safety goggles when using power tools.
– Replace eye makeup every 6 months to prevent bacterial growth.
A chalazion is a painless lump that can develop on the eyelid. It can be irritating and uncomfortable, but it is usually harmless and settles on its own within a few weeks. Occasionally a chalazion becomes infected and progresses to a stye. See an ophthalmologist if the eye area becomes particularly swollen or painful, or if the chalazion does not respond to home care — and keep up a daily eye-cleansing routine to help prevent recurrence.
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