Chalazion
Chalazion, otherwise known as eyelid cyst, sebaceous cyst, or meibomian cyst, is a small, red lump or swelling in the eyelid caused by the thickening of the vascular walls of the eye, resulting in the eventual fluid blockage in the tiny meibomian or oil ducts around the eye area. It’s usually a small painless blockage of the eyes, causing them to retain oil and swell. It’s typically slow-growing, non-infectious, and painless, though it may initially hurt. It may also cause mild irritation, watery eyes, and blurred vision, particularly in cases when the chalazion becomes large enough to press against the eyeballs.
Chalazion (or chalazia in plural form) usually develops in adults aged 30-50. It usually forms following the appearance of an internal stye. When the redness and swelling of the stye go away, it leaves behind a firm, pea-sized nodule farther back on the eyelid—a chalazion.
Other than a stye (hordeolum), there are other potential causes or risk factors that result in the appearance of a chalazion. This includes acne rosacea, eyelid inflammation, seborrheic dermatitis, tuberculosis, blepharitis, viral and bacterial infections, and in rare cases, cancer.
It usually resolves on its own, though in some cases, like when rare cancer appears much like a chalazion, it might require intervention.
