Exploring Chalazion

People often make an appointment with their eye doctor in Miami because they notice a bump that has formed on their upper or lower eyelid. For people who have never had this particular condition before, the sudden appearance of the bump can be alarming. However, the bump is nothing to be too concerned about. When a small, hard bump forms on the upper or lower eyelid, it’s because the oil gland inside of the eye has been temporarily blocked and it formed into a chalazion. The bump itself is what a Miami optometrist will refer to as a chalazion, and it is usually not painful at all. The chalazion will likely go away on its own within a month or so, but if it’s blocking your vision or causing any pain, it’s crucial that you be seen by your eye doctor and get it examined just to be on the safe side.

How to Prevent a Chalazion

Those who currently have this condition or have experienced it in the past may be wondering what they can do to prevent it in the future. The reason people get chalazions varies from person to person, but eye doctors in Miami will recommend a few standard things to keep chalazions at bay.

● Keeping your hands clean at all times, especially before you wipe/rub your eyes.

Bacteria, dirt, debris, and other microscopic objects can get lodged into your eye and block the oil gland from secreting oils the way it should be. By keeping your hands clean before touching your eyes, you can minimize the risk of chalazions from this cause.

● If you’ve had a chalazion in the past, then it means you are at a slightly higher risk of developing another one in the future. Those who have had them before need to take extra care to keep their hands clean and be conscious of what they are putting in or around their eyes.

● It’s important that you know that a stye and a chalazion are two different things. Styes are usually painful, while chalazions are not. Also, styes normally develop right on the edge of the eyelid, whereas chalazions develop on the middle portion of the eyelid.

Common Treatments for Chalazions

In most cases, a chalazion will go away without doing anything out of the ordinary. Just try not to squeeze it or touch it as this could cause it to become inflamed or could even add extra bacteria into the eye. Instead, put a warm compress to the affected eye for about ten minutes, and do this multiple times per day. Gently massaging the chalazion can also help it to drain faster. If you think that these standard treatments aren’t going to work for you, then you can speak with your eye doctor about getting antibiotics or steroids.

photo credit: Charlotte via photopin (license)