Eye Conditions

Eyelid Disorders

What is a Stye or Chalazion?

A stye or chalazion are eyelid cysts or lumps that can occur at any age. Often they are associated with underlying blepharitis and represent a mechanical blockage of an oil gland within the eyelid.

They can cause troublesome redness, swelling and pain of the eyelid but usually resolve without treatment.

  • Chalazion – enlargements of an oil gland (similar to a pimple) deep in the eyelid often caused by an obstruction
  • Stye – most commonly they are infected eyelash follicles

Occasionally, a chalazion will progress to cause an infection of the eyelid and is associated with increasing pain, advancing redness of the eyelid skin and worsening swelling. In this scenario, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.

What is Lower Eyelid Malposition?

The position and tone of the lower eyelid is essential for the normal protection of the eye and drainage of tears.

Over time, previous surgery or inflammatory conditions of the skin or conjunctiva can cause eyelids to become either:

  • out-turned (ectropion) or
  • in-turned (entropion)

This can cause the ocular surface protection and tear drainage system to become compromised, manifesting with symptoms of eye and lid redness, sore gritty eyes, foreign body sensation, recurrent infections/conjunctivitis, watery eyes and reduced vision.

The appearance of an out-turned (ectropion) lid may be obvious, but often there is only a subtle change visible.

What is a Stye or Chalazion?

A stye or chalazion are eyelid cysts or lumps that can occur at any age. Often they are associated with underlying blepharitis and represent a mechanical blockage of an oil gland within the eyelid.

They can cause troublesome redness, swelling and pain of the eyelid but usually resolve without treatment.

  • Chalazion – enlargements of an oil gland (similar to a pimple) deep in the eyelid often caused by an obstruction
  • Stye – most commonly they are infected eyelash follicles

Occasionally, a chalazion will progress to cause an infection of the eyelid and is associated with increasing pain, advancing redness of the eyelid skin and worsening swelling. In this scenario, it is important to seek urgent medical attention.

What is Lower Eyelid Malposition?

The position and tone of the lower eyelid is essential for the normal protection of the eye and drainage of tears.

Over time, previous surgery or inflammatory conditions of the skin or conjunctiva can cause eyelids to become either:

  • out-turned (ectropion) or
  • in-turned (entropion)

This can cause the ocular surface protection and tear drainage system to become compromised, manifesting with symptoms of eye and lid redness, sore gritty eyes, foreign body sensation, recurrent infections/conjunctivitis, watery eyes and reduced vision.

The appearance of an out-turned (ectropion) lid may be obvious, but often there is only a subtle change visible.

What treatments are available?

Treatment of a Chalazion or Stye

The majority will swell until the cyst points and the contents discharges either through the eyelid skin or from the inside of the lid. Applying hot compresses can help speed up this process.

Occasionally, a chalazion will progress to cause an infection of the eyelid and is associated with increasing pain, advancing redness of the eyelid skin and worsening swelling. In this scenario, it is important to commence oral or intravenous antibiotics, and you should seek urgent medical attention.

If the chalazion cyst does not self-resolve and a small residual firm lump remains within the eyelid, the cyst will need incising and draining to aid resolution and your specialist can advise you accordingly.

Treatment of Lower Eyelid Malposition

Correction of the lower eyelid malposition requires addressing the specific cause and improving the protection of the eye.

  • Temporary measures may include lubricant eye drops and antibiotic drops or ointments for recurrent infections.
  • For entropion (in-turning), a muscle-relaxant injection can be given in certain instances, which will give approximately 3 months of improvement. In addition, eyelid tape can be applied from the lower eyelid and down onto the cheek to temporarily pull the lower eyelid down away from the eye and give some relief of the symptoms.
  • Permanent treatment is usually surgical.

Stye Overview and Treatment

Ectropion Overview and Treatment

Entropion Overview and Treatment

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