Stye vs. Chalazion: How to Identify and Treat Common Eyelid Bumps for Better Eye Health

What Is The Difference Between a Stye And A Chalazion? 👀

Your Quick Guide to Eye Bumps

Styes and chalazia are two common eyelid bumps that can be uncomfortable and sometimes worrisome. As an optometrist, I’m here to help clarify why they occur, how to identify them, and what you can do to keep your eyes healthy and bump-free.

What Is a Stye?

A stye (also known as a hordeolum) is an acute infection often arising from a clogged or irritated oil gland on the eyelid.

• Appearance: Looks like a small, red, painful bump (often resembles a pimple).
• Location: Typically forms along the eyelash line (external stye) or inside the eyelid (internal stye).
• Pain Level: Usually tender to the touch and may cause tearing or sensitivity to light.
• Root Cause: Bacterial infection (often Staphylococcus), exacerbated by poor eyelid hygiene, makeup buildup, or excessive touching/rubbing of the eyes.

What Is a Chalazion?

A chalazion is a blocked meibomian oil gland in the eyelid that results in a painless, round lump.

• Appearance: A firm, round bump that often grows more slowly than a stye.
• Location: Usually found further back on the eyelid, away from the lash line.
• Pain Level: Typically not painful, although it can become inflamed.
• Root Cause: Blockage of the oil glands in the eyelid, sometimes following an untreated or persistent stye.

Key Differences At a Glance

• Timing: Styes appear quickly (acute), while chalazia develop more gradually.
• Sensation: Styes are often painful; chalazia are usually painless.
• Location on Eyelid: In general styes occur closer to the lash line; chalazia form away from the lash line (deeper within the eyelid).

How Do You Know If It's Infected

• Timing: Styes that are infected grow fast in size. 
• Eyelid Color: If the eyelid looks like you're wearing red eye shadow, it's highly likely it's infected.
• Temperature: If the eyelid is hot to the touch, the inflammation likely indicated infection.
• Discharge: Yellow or greenish discharge means infected debris.
• Fever: Any of the above and a fever could mean a very serious condition called perceptual cellulitis that requires immediate medical attention with prescription oral (sometimes IV) medication. 

Preventing Styes & Chalazia

Preventing these eyelid bumps often comes down to keeping your eyelids clean and practicing good personal hygiene:

• Remove all makeup thoroughly each night.
• Use a gentle eyelid cleanser and tools to clear away oils and bacteria.
• If you wear eyelash extensions, make sure the use lash safe cleansers and tools to prevent buildup.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes with unclean hands.
• Regularly wash hands to minimize bacterial spread.

Treatment Options

• Focused Eye Roll: Applying an active, rolling warm compress several times a day for 30 seconds a session, can help open clogged glands and speed up healing.
• Stye Cleansing System or MGD Cleansing System: Cleanse your eyelids with mild, non-irritating products and useful tools to address current flare ups and also prevent new ones. 
• Topical Antibiotics: For a stye, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments or eye drops if bacteria is the cause.
• Topical Antibiotics: For moderate or severe inflammation, steroid ointments or eye drops can be helpful to relieve the discomfort. 
• Professional Removal: If the bump doesn’t resolve or gets larger, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for further assessment, which may include draining the chalazion, steroid injections, and/or energy device such as Intense Pulsed Light therapy.

When to Consult an Eye Care Professional

Do not ignore persistent and or recurrent styes or chalazia. If you notice any of the following, please see an eye doctor:

• Worsening pain or swelling
• Impact on vision (blurred or obstructed sight)
• Redness spreading beyond the eyelid
• No improvement after using warm compresses for a week
• For recurrent flare ups in the SAME EXACT eyelid gland, sebaceous gland carcinoma should definitely be ruled out

---

About Dr. Tanya Gill, OD
Dr. Tanya Gill is the founder of We Love Eyes, a brand dedicated to keeping your eyes and eyelids healthy through natural, gentle cleansing products. Visit weloveeyes.com to explore solutions for your eye concerns and learn more about maintaining great eyelid hygiene.