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.

Q: What are common eyelid conditions treated at Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons?

A: The most common eyelid conditions we treat are chalazions (blocked oil glands) and styes (infected eyelash follicles). Both are generally harmless but can cause discomfort, vision obstruction, or pain.

Q: What is the difference between a chalazion and a stye?

A:

- Chalazion: A slow-growing, non-painful bump caused by a blocked oil gland, usually not located at the lash line. It can grow large and affect vision but is not infectious.

- Stye: A red, painful bump at the lash line, caused by bacterial infection in an eyelash follicle. It’s usually uncomfortable but not serious.

Q: When should I see a doctor for an eyelid condition?

A: If a lump or bump on your eyelid doesn’t improve with at-home treatments (like hot compresses), or if it grows large enough to interfere with vision or cause pain, schedule an exam at our Greenbelt or Bowie, MD office.

Q: How are styes and chalazions treated?

A:

- Home Treatment: Hot compresses and over-the-counter medications may help.

- Medical Treatment: If a stye or chalazion becomes large, painful, or doesn’t heal, we may recommend a minor surgical procedure to drain or excise the lesion. This is a simple procedure with minimal recovery time.

Q: What is the process for eyelid lesion removal?

A: During your appointment, we’ll evaluate your condition based on factors like the size, location, and duration of the lesion. If surgery is needed, it will be performed under local anesthesia with minimal incisions, usually requiring no stitches.

Q: How long does it take to recover from eyelid lesion surgery?

A: Recovery typically takes 1–2 weeks. We may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection, and most patients return to daily activities immediately after the procedure.

Q: When is surgery necessary for eyelid conditions?

A: Surgery is recommended if a stye or chalazion significantly affects vision or doesn’t respond to other treatments. We only recommend surgery if it is essential for your comfort and eye health.

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.