Chalazion: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Homeopathic Remedies

A chalazion is a chronic, painless swelling caused by the blockage of a meibomian gland in the eyelid, leading to the accumulation of sebaceous secretions. Unlike a stye (hordeolum), it is non-infectious and develops slowly. Large chalazia can cause cosmetic concerns and mild visual disturbances if they press on the cornea.

Differences Between Chalazion & Stye

Feature	Chalazion	Stye (Hordeolum)
Cause	Blocked meibomian gland	Bacterial infection (Staphylococcus)
Pain	Painless, firm swelling	Painful, red swelling
Location	Deep in the eyelid	At eyelid margin
Onset	Slow-growing	Rapid onset
Treatment	Warm compress, surgery if needed	Antibiotics, warm compress

Causes

• Chronic meibomian gland obstruction
• Seborrheic blepharitis (oily skin and dandruff-related eyelid inflammation)
• Poor eyelid hygiene
• Chronic inflammation (rosacea, meibomian gland dysfunction)
• Repeated styes leading to residual cyst formation

Clinical Features

• Slowly enlarging, painless swelling on the eyelid
• Mild tenderness in early stages
• Can cause blurry vision if large enough to press on the cornea
• May persist for weeks to months
• No redness or discharge unless secondarily infected

Signs & Symptoms

• Firm, rubbery, nodular swelling inside the eyelid
• Non-tender lump on the upper or lower lid
• Conjunctival redness in large or chronic cases
• No pus or pain unless infected
• May cause slight drooping of the eyelid

Investigations

• Clinical Examination – Diagnosis is mainly clinical based on history and physical findings
• Slit Lamp Examination – To differentiate from other eyelid lesions
• Biopsy (Rare Cases) – If lesion is atypical or persistent (rule out sebaceous carcinoma)

Treatment

• Conservative Management
• Warm compresses (4-5 times daily) to soften the gland secretions
• Eyelid massage to promote drainage
• Good eyelid hygiene to prevent recurrence
• Medical Management
• Topical Antibiotics (if infected) – Erythromycin or Tobramycin ointment
• Intralesional Steroid Injection (Triamcinolone Acetonide) – For large or persistent chalazia
• Surgical Management
• Incision & Curettage (I&C) – If lesion persists beyond 2-3 months
• Chalazion Excision – In recurrent or large cases
• Laser Therapy – Alternative to conventional surgery in resistant cases
• Homeopathic Treatment – Helps in resolution and prevents recurrence

Homeopathic Remedies for Chalazion

1. Staphysagria – Chronic or recurrent chalazia, associated with irritation.
2. Pulsatilla – Chalazion with yellow discharge, worse in warm rooms.
3. Silicea – Helps in ripening and drainage of persistent chalazia.
4. Hepar Sulphur – Painful, inflamed swelling, sensitive to touch.
5. Calcarea Fluorica – Hard, long-standing lumps in the eyelid.

Mnemonic for Chalazion Management: "WICS"

• W – Warm compress
• I – Intralesional steroid
• C – Curettage (surgical removal)
• S – Steroid injection for resistant cases