$Unique_ID{BRK01256}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is "Chalazion" and Where Does it Come From?}
$Subject{eyelids chalazion treatment skin subcutaneous tissue bump eyelid
tarsus meibomian glands stye incision curettage eye eyes chalazions bumps
tarsal plate plates meibomians gland sty styes curette}
$Volume{L-21}
$Log{
Chalazion of the Eye*0010501.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is "Chalazion" and Where Does it Come From?


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QUESTION:  A bump inside my eyelid has been diagnosed as a "chalazion".  The
doctor says I may need surgery to get rid of it.  Can you please tell me what
this thing is, and where it came from?

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ANSWER:  Within the human eyelid there exists a stiff plate of dense fibrous
tissue, call the "tarsus," which helps maintain the shape and form of the lid.
The tarsus contains rows of glands called "meibomian" glands, in which the
chalazion may form.  It occurs when the duct of the gland becomes stopped up,
after an inflammation for example.  In the beginning there is a slowly growing
swelling of the lid that may look like a stye, because it too is hot and red,
sometimes painful.  But after a few days, it becomes painless, but still
continues to grow.  In many cases the chalazion may disappear after a few
months on its own.  This can be helped along by using hot compresses and local
antibiotic ointments when the bump first appears.  However, if after 6 weeks
it is still present, the physician may have to open the chalazion surgically,
and remove its contents with a procedure called incision and curettage, a
relatively minor operation that is performed with local anesthesia, usually in
the doctor's office.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.