Chalazion

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Chalazion

Definition:

Chalazion is a small mass in the eyelid, caused by a blockage of a tiny oil gland in the eyelid.

Alternative Names:

Meibomian gland lipogranuloma

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A chalazion develops within the Meibomian glands of the eyelid, which are sebaceous glands that produce the tear film that lubricates the eyes. The eyelid has approximately 100 of these glands, located near the eyelashes.

The condition is caused by obstruction of the duct that drains one of these glands. A chalazion begins as diffuse swelling and tenderness, and later forms a cyst-like localized swelling. Many chalazia disappear without treatment after a few months.

Review Date: 10/31/2004
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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