A chalazion is an inflamed and swollen bump on the eyelid. It occurs as the result of clogged oil glands. Our upper and lower eyelids are lined with oil producing glands called meibomian glands. When these glands become clogged, the oil begins to accumulate within the eyelid leading to the attraction of inflammatory cells. Chalazia are typically the result of inflammation and not infection. The chalazion may initially present with little to no pain or discomfort however, as it progresses, it will frequently become red, swollen, and tender to touch.
What is the difference between a chalazion and a stye?
While chalazion are the result of sterile inflammation within a clogged oil gland, a stye is usually the result of an infection of the eyelash hair follicle (external) or the meibomian gland (internal). Styes will typically cause a painful red bump at the margin of the eyelid with a small pus spot at the center. However, clinically it is frequently difficult to differentiate between a chalazion and a stye.
Who is at risk?
Anyone is at risk for developing a chalazion or stye however the risk increases in individuals with blepharitis, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Treatment for Chalazions
The same treatment regimen is implemented for styes and chalazion. Initially, warm compresses are recommended to promote opening of the clogged gland. If this conservative treatment fails, an appointment with a board-certified ophthalmologist is recommended to evaluate the lesion and explore other treatment options consisting of steroids, antibiotics, and/or drainage of the lesion. We do not recommend self-diagnosis as there are skin cancers that have an identical appearance to a stye or chalazion.
Chalazion ni uvimbe uliochomeka na kuvimba kwenye kiwiko cha jicho. Huo hutokea kwa sababu ya tezi za mafuta zilizofungwa. Vipande vya juu na vya chini vya jicho hufunikwa na tezi zinazozalisha mafuta zinazoitwa tezi za Meibomian. Wakati tezi hizo zinapofungwa, mafuta huanza kujikusanya ndani ya kiwiko cha jicho na kusababisha kuvutia chembe za uvimbe. Chalazia kwa kawaida ni matokeo ya uvimbe na si maambukizo. Mwanzoni, chalazion inaweza kuonekana kuwa na maumivu kidogo au hakuna maumivu, lakini inapoendelea, mara nyingi inakuwa nyekundu, imechoma, na ni nyeti kugusa. Ni nini tofauti kati ya chalazion na stye? Chalazion ni ugonjwa wa mkojo wa ndani wa tezi ya mafuta, wakati stye ni ugonjwa wa nje wa tezi ya meibomian. Kwa kawaida, nywele za macho hufanyiza madoa mekundu yenye maumivu kwenye ukingo wa kiwiko cha jicho na kuwa na madoa madogo katikati. Hata hivyo, mara nyingi ni vigumu kutofautisha chalazion na stye. Ni nani walio hatarini? Kwa kawaida, mtu yeyote anaweza kuambukizwa ugonjwa wa chalazion, lakini hatari huongezeka kwa watu walio na blepharitis, rosacea, na seborrheic dermatitis. Matibabu ya Chalazions Mfumo huo wa matibabu unatumiwa kwa stys na chalazion. Mwanzoni, vinapendekezwa kuunganisha vitu vyenye joto ili kuchochea kufunguliwa kwa tezi iliyofungwa. Ikiwa matibabu haya ya kihafidhina hayana matokeo, ni muhimu kumtembelea daktari wa macho ili kuchunguza ugonjwa huo na kuchunguza njia nyingine za matibabu, ikiwa ni pamoja na steroids, antibiotics, na drainage. Kwa hivyo, haipaswi kujihusisha na magonjwa ya ngozi kama vile kansa ya ngozi, ambayo inaonekana kama stye au chalazion.