A lump on the eyelid is one of the most common reasons people visit us urgently at Prime Optometrists Auburn. The two most likely causes are a stye (hordeolum) and a chalazion — and while they look similar, they have different causes and require different management.
What Is a Stye?
A stye is an acute bacterial infection of a gland at the edge of the eyelid, usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. It typically appears as a red, painful, pimple-like lump near the eyelashes, often with a small yellow head. Styes usually develop quickly over 1–2 days and are tender to touch.
What Is a Chalazion?
A chalazion is a chronic, non-infectious blockage of a meibomian gland — one of the oil-producing glands inside the eyelid. It typically presents as a firm, painless lump, larger and further from the lid margin than a stye. Chalazia often develop after a stye resolves, or spontaneously in people with dry eye disease or rosacea (which affects the meibomian glands).
Treatment
Warm Compresses
Both styes and early chalazia respond to warm compresses applied for 10–15 minutes, 3–4 times daily. Use a clean cloth soaked in warm (not hot) water, or a purpose-made heated eye mask. This softens the blocked gland secretions and promotes drainage.
When to See an Optometrist
You should book an appointment if:
- The lump has not improved after 2–3 weeks of warm compresses
- It is growing in size
- There is significant swelling, redness, or pain spreading beyond the lid
- Your vision is being affected
- You have had multiple styes or chalazia
- The lump recurs in the same location repeatedly
As a therapeutically endorsed optometrist, Dr Tahiri can prescribe antibiotic ointments for infected styes, and refer for incision and drainage when a chalazion doesn't resolve on its own.
Preventing Recurrence
- Practise good eyelid hygiene with daily lid margin cleansing
- Remove eye makeup before sleeping
- Treat underlying dry eye disease — meibomian gland dysfunction is a common cause of recurrent chalazia
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
Book an appointment at Prime Optometrists, 43 Auburn Road, Auburn NSW 2144. Call (02) 9761 0005. We see patients for urgent eyelid concerns on the same day when possible.