A chalazion is a small, usually painless lump in the upper or lower eyelid, caused by a blocked meibomian (oil) gland. It is not an infection and is different from a stye. Many chalazia clear up over a few weeks with warm compresses and lid hygiene; those that persist or are bothersome can be removed with a quick minor procedure under local anaesthetic, from £460.
What is a chalazion?
Your eyelids contain dozens of tiny meibomian glands that release oil onto the surface of the eye to stop tears evaporating. If one of these glands becomes blocked, the trapped oil builds up and forms a firm, round swelling in the eyelid — a chalazion (also called a meibomian cyst).
A chalazion is usually painless and grows slowly over days or weeks. It is different from a stye, which is a painful, infected lump at the base of an eyelash. A chalazion sits deeper within the eyelid and is caused by blockage rather than infection.
Symptoms of a chalazion
- A firm, painless lump in the upper or lower eyelid
- Mild swelling or tenderness when it first forms
- Redness of the overlying eyelid skin
- Blurred vision if a large chalazion presses on the eye
- A watery eye or feeling of pressure
Got a lump that won’t settle? A consultant can confirm it is a chalazion and remove it quickly if needed.
Book an eyelid assessmentCauses & risk factors
A chalazion forms when a meibomian gland becomes blocked. You are more likely to develop one if you have:
- Blepharitis — chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins
- Rosacea or seborrhoeic dermatitis
- A previous chalazion or stye — some people are prone to them
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (a common cause of dry eye)
How a chalazion is diagnosed
Diagnosis is quick and based on examination — no scans are usually needed:
- Eyelid examination — the consultant inspects the lump and everts (turns out) the eyelid to view the affected gland.
- Slit-lamp examination — assesses the eyelid margins and gland health.
- Review of recurrent or atypical lumps — a lump that keeps returning in the same spot is occasionally biopsied to exclude other causes.
Treatment options
Most chalazia improve with simple self-care, and only persistent ones need a procedure. See our chalazion treatment page for full detail.
- Warm compresses & lid massage — first-line treatment; warmth softens the trapped oil and helps the gland drain.
- Incision & curettage — a quick day-case procedure under local anaesthetic to drain a persistent chalazion through the inner surface of the lid, from £460. See chalazion pricing.
- Oculoplastic care — recurrent or unusual eyelid lumps are managed by our oculoplastic surgery team.