A painful, tender stye (also called a hordeolum) is usually caused by a bacterial infection. A stye will develop at the base of an eyelash if the eyelash follicle (root) is infected. This is usually called an external hordeolum. A stye will also develop if there is an infection in one of the tiny lubricating oil glands (called meibomian glands) inside or under the eyelid. When this occurs, it is usually called an internal hordeolum. A stye can also be caused by widespread inflammation of the eyelid from blepharitis, a condition that affects the eyelid margins.

A chalazion develops when an oil gland in the eyelid becomes blocked. If an internal hordeolum doesn't drain and heal, it can turn into a chalazion. Unlike a stye, a chalazion is usually painless.

Anyone can develop a chalazion or stye, but if we have blepharitis, a condition affecting the eyelid margins, we may be more likely to get either one. We may also have an increased risk of developing chalazia or styes if we: Have had chalazia or styes previously; Have skin conditions such as acnea rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis; Have other systemic medical conditions, such as diabetes. Consistently don't remove eye makeup completely; Use of old or contaminated cosmetics.

Symptoms of a stye at first generally include eyelid tenderness and redness in the affected area, with irritation and scratchiness in the eye. Further symptoms of a stye include:

A red bump along the edge of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, usually with a small puss spot in the center. A feeling as if something is in the eye; Sensitivity to light; Crusting along the eyelid margin; Tearing.

About 25 percent of chalazia have no symptoms and will go away without any treatment. Sometimes, however, a chalazion may become red, swollen and occasionally may be tender. A larger chalazion may also cause blurred vision by distorting the shape of the eye. Occasionally, a chalazion can cause the entire eyelid to swell suddenly.

Ans 5 Doctors diagnose these problems by closely examining the eyelid with the help of slit lamp. It may be hard to tell the difference between a stye and a chalazion. If there is a hard lump inside the eyelid, the doctor will probably diagnose it as a chalazion.

Ans 6-Symptoms of a chalazion or stye are treated with one or more of the following methods:

Warm compresses
Soak a clean washcloth in hot water and apply the cloth to the lid for 10 to 15 minutes, three or five times a day until the chalazion or stye is gone. You should repeatedly soak the cloth in hot water to maintain adequate heat. The warm compress should allow the clogged gland to open and drain white or yellow discharge. If the gland opens, gentle massage around the stye or chalazion may help drainage.

Antibiotic ointments
An antibiotic ointment may be prescribed if bacteria infect a chalazion, or if a stye does not improve after treatment with warm compresses or if it keeps coming back.

Steroid injections
A steroid (cortisone) injection is sometimes used to reduce swelling of a chalazion.

Surgical removal
If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments or if it affects your vision, your Eye M.D. may need to drain it in surgery. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia .

Surgical removal /Chalazion Excision
If a large chalazion or stye does not heal after other treatments or if it affects your vision, your ophthalmologist . may need to drain it in surgery. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia in case of children.

People who undergo chalazion surgery are normally asked to visit their eye surgeon for post-op follow-up three to four weeks after surgery has been performed. They may start driving the day after surgery and they may return to work in one or two days.

Chalazion surgery is a safe procedure and complications occur very seldom. Serious complications that require another operation are also very rare. Among potential complications, there is infection, bleeding or the recurrence of the chalazion.

A large chalazion can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea. As laser eye surgery involves shaping the cornea by burning parts of it away, weakening its structure, post operation patients can be left predisposed to deformation of the cornea from small chalazia. Complications including, but not limited to hypopigmentation may occur with corticosteroid injection. Recurring chalazia in the same area may sometimes be a symptom of sebaceous cell carcinoma, albeit rarely. This is a type of cancer.

Sometimes, as a last resort, surgery is performed. The eyelid is injected with a local anesthetic, a clamp is put on the eyelid, then the eyelid is turned over, an incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, and the chalazion is drained and scraped out. A scar on the upper lid can cause discomfort as some patients feel the scar as they blink. Of course as surgeries are intrusive and damage healthy tissue (e.g. leaving behind scar tissue or possibly even causing blepharitis), given other options, less intrusive treatment is always preferable. Similarly, chalazia may recur once the eye is predisposed and surgical intervention each time is not possible. So surgery should be considered only as a last resort, performed on as few as 5% of all chalazia patients.

People who undergo chalazion surgery are normally asked to visit their eye surgeon for post-op follow-up three to four weeks after surgery has been performed. They may start driving the day after surgery and they may return to work in one or two days. Chalazion surgery is a safe procedure and complications occur very seldom.

Serious complications that require another operation are also very rare. Among potential complications, there is infection, bleeding or the recurrence of the chalazion.

The expense depends upon the grades of treatment.