Chalazions and Styes: What Are They? 
When it comes to eye discomfort, two common culprits are chalazions and styes, which can cause lumps or swelling on your eyelids.
- Chalazions form when oil glands in your eyelids get blocked but aren’t infected. These can appear as bumps on either the upper or lower eyelid.
- Hordeolums are the infected version of a Chalazion which can spread to an eye infection on the skin of the eyelid (preseptal cellulitis) if not treated with antibiotics.
- Styes are clogged infected oil glands located at the base of the eyelashes and typically appear like a whitehead along the eyelashes.
Why Do They Happen?
The root cause of both conditions involves the obstruction of the eyelid oil glands in the eyelids. Factors like:
- Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids due to allergies, bacterial infections, or skin conditions like rosacea.
- Demodex Mites, tiny dust-mite like organisms naturally living on the skin but can proliferate and block oil glands in certain individuals (see photo).
- Poor Eyelid Hygiene, including the buildup of makeup, can lead to these blockages.
- Rosacea, a condition causing enlarged blood vessels and redness, can exacerbate these eyelid issues.
Treatment Options
Managing these conditions involves a mix of home remedies and medical treatments:
- Warm Compresses: Applying warmth helps unblock the oil glands.
- Eyelid Hygiene: Gently cleaning the eyelids with diluted tea tree oil or specialized wipes can prevent blockages.
- Medicated Treatments: For styes or severe cases, antibiotics or steroid injections might be recommended.
- Xdemvy: The first FDA-approved treatment targeting demodex mites, offering a new approach for those suffering from related eyelid issues.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: For rosacea-related eyelid problems, minimizing triggers like heat, spicy foods, and alcohol helps.
Why Choose An Eyelid Sub-Specialist?
Dr. Satterfield has come across unfortunate cases of eyelid healing when Chalazions are not drained by properly trained surgeons. Dr. Satterfield has extensive training in eye surgery (Ophthalmology) and Eyelid Surgery specifically, through the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. She not uncommonly treats revision cases such as the patient pictured here.
Summary
Understanding the difference between chalazions and styes, their causes, and effective treatments is key to managing and preventing these common eyelid problems. From simple warm compresses to advanced treatments like Xdemvy for demodex mites, several strategies can help keep your eyelids healthy and your eyes comfortable.