Lumps, Chalazions, and Styes in Greenbelt & Bowie, MD

The board-certified ophthalmologists at Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons are devoted to caring for the health of your eyes and have years of experience in identifying and removing eyelid lumps and bumps with minor surgery. The most commonly occurring types of eyelid lesions are styes and chalazions. In general, they are harmless; however, they can sometimes be uncomfortable or painful and may become large enough to blur or block vision.

If you have a lump or bump on one of your eyelids that have not responded to at-home treatment, schedule an exam with us today at our Greenbelt or Bowie, MD office. We'll make sure you receive a proper diagnosis and take the next necessary steps to bring your relief.

At Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we see and treat a variety of common and rare eyelid conditions. The conditions we see most frequently are chalazions and styes. It can be difficult to self diagnose these two conditions because they look quite similar; however, they are different and require different treatment.

Chalazion – Chalazions are blocked or swollen eyelid oil glands. They usually do not appear right at the lash line. They grow slowly but can eventually become the size of a pea. If they grow large enough, they can blur vision and cause irritation. Chalazions are not typically painful at all and are not infectious.

Styes – Styes are typically caused by bacteria that has entered an eyelash follicle. They are red, inflamed bumps that appear along the lash line and sometimes inside the eyelid. Styes are not generally considered dangerous or serious, but they are often uncomfortable or painful.

The removal of an eyelid lesion, like a stye or chalazion, is generally restricted to those patients whose vision is significantly obscured by the lesion or who have not had any relief from other methods. Like with any surgery, there are possible complications so we will only perform a surgical removal if we determine it is necessary.

At your initial appointment, we will go over your medical history and your eyelid condition, including where it is, how large it is, what type it is, how long you have had it, and remedies you have tried previously. All of this information is important in forming the best treatment plan for each individual.

Sometimes, a chalazion or stye can clear up if the patient applies hot compresses to the area regularly and/or uses over-the-counter medications. If these remedies do not work, however, both a stye and a chalazion can grow enough to affect vision and become painful. At this point, it is best to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to determine whether a minimally invasive surgery might be the best course of action.

At Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we may recommend draining or excising the lesion, depending on its location, size, and type. A large, infected stye that won't heal often needs to be drained. If you have a stubborn chalazion, your surgeon may decide that excision is needed. For either procedure, your eye will be numbed beforehand, and the incision should be so small that stitches are unnecessary.

Drainage and excision of a stye or chalazion are both very minor procedures so you will be able to get back to your daily routine right away. We may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment for you to use for a week or so after the procedure to avoid any infection. For patients who properly follow our aftercare instructions, it should only take 1 – 2 weeks to heal.

Almost everyone develops a stye or chalazion at one point or another, and most of the time, they will clear up on their own. However, if you have an eyelid lesion that is not healing up or responding to hot compresses, it is time to have an eye exam. At Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we'll perform a thorough evaluation of your stye or chalazion and create a treatment plan that best suits your needs.