What is it?
Styes and chalazions
Styes and chalazia are two types of eyelid disorders, very frequent in any age group, which are often confused as they have a similar appearance. However, their origin and the way they are treated are different.
A stye is a small, reddish, usually painful bump that grows at the base of the eyelash (external stye) or on the inside of the eyelid (internal stye). People with oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis) or other skin diseases such as acne, psoriasis or rosacea are more prone to styes.
The appearance of both types of styes has an infectious origin in most cases, either from the hair follicle of the eyelash, in the case of an external stye, or from the oil-producing gland of the eyelid (Zeiss gland), in the case of internal styes. Although it is an acute infection, it generally does not pose any serious risk to vision.
Read more
Stress, hormonal changes or blepharitis are some of the preconditions that can trigger these types of visual conditions.
Chalazion is an inflammatory lesion similar to a cyst, with a hard consistency, which appears in the upper or lower eyelid as a consequence of the obstruction of the Meibomian glands, which are sebaceous glands located inside the eyelids. Unlike the stye, its origin is not infectious and it is usually painless to the touch.
However, in very specific cases, a large chalazion on the upper eyelid may cause blurred vision and astigmatism, due to the pressure it exerts on the eyeball.
Treatment of sties
The basic treatment in the acute phase of the infection consists in adopting a correct hygiene of the eyelids and eyelashes by means of soap solutions that eliminate the fat and bacteria present in this area of the eye, as well as the application of heat to unblock the gland.
In addition, the ophthalmologist may recommend the use of an antibiotic ointment with corticosteroid to control inflammation and the intake of anti-inflammatory drugs.
When the stye becomes chronic, corticosteroid injection such as Trigon is a therapeutic option.
Treatment of chalazions
It should be noted that, in most cases, chalazions resolve spontaneously.
However, when this condition of the eyelid becomes recurrent, the ophthalmologist may recommend different measures such as the application of heat to the affected area, the intake of food supplements with omega 3, as well as topical anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatments.
If this type of ocular lesion persists to the point of becoming encysted, it can generate significant discomfort for the patient as well as aesthetic inconveniences in appearance. At this point, there is an alternative treatment to surgery that consists of a local injection of long-lasting corticosteroids in the thickness of the eyelid. This is a simple technique that the ophthalmologist performs in his office.
In case this treatment does not achieve the expected results, surgical treatment under local anesthesia may be considered to resolve the lesion.
Preventive measures
Prevention plays a fundamental role in avoiding this type of conditions that are so annoying for the patient.
The main measures to prevent the formation of these lesions include:
Other pathologies
SUBSCRIBE
to our newsletter
Be the first to hear all the latest news from the Oftalmedic Salvà group and receive exclusive promotions that may interest you.
