Minor procedures (Chalazion Excision)

Chalazions (“small pimples” in Greek) are cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, on the edge of the eyelid. Small glands in the eyelids called meibomian glands normally secrete a thick, fatty fluid called sebum into the hair follicles of the eyelashes. When these glands become chronically inflamed, chalazions – also called styes form.

A doctor usually treats chalazions by prescribing warm compresses. He or she may also drain a firm cyst by pressing on it to release the sebum trapped inside. A minor surgery may be necessary to drain the fluid if these preliminary measures do not fully resolve the stye.