Meibomian cyst (chalazion)
A meibomian cyst (chalazion) is a common condition that can affect the eyelids. The condition occurs due to inflammation around the opening of the meibomian glands located at the base of your eyelashes. These glands normally produce an oily lubricant but can become blocked by local inflammation and when they do a small tender swelling will occur in the eyelid. These can sometimes be mistaken for a stye.
Meibomian cysts can vary in size and can discharge but most will resolve spontaneously after a couple of weeks assisted by warm compresses and lid cleaning.
Sometimes, the meibomian cyst may cause a spreading infection along the surface of your eyelid (conjunctivitis), which may need a course of antibiotics, but this is rare.
Selfcare and more information
Symptoms
- Eyelid swelling or lump
- Eyelid tenderness
- If inflamed, eye can be red, watering and sore
- Heaviness of eyelid
Information sourced from Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Managing my condition
To manage and prevent a meibomian cyst from developing, daily lid cleaning is suggested.
If you visit your optician or GP, who thinks you have a meibomian cyst, they will advise you on ways to manage and clean it. This will include:
- applying a warm compress such as clean, warm, damp flannel to the affected eye for 5–10 minutes at least 4 times a day. This will help liquefy and encourage drainage of the cyst contents
- gently massaging the meibomian cyst after application of the warm compress to aid in drainage of the cyst contents. This should be done in the direction of the eye lashes using clean fingers or a cotton bud.
- You should avoid using hot compresses on the eye area
After trialling this a few times if you notice your eye becoming increasingly red or painful or your sight becomes more blurred you should see your optician or GP again.
Specialist management of meibomian cysts
It is important to remember that the cyst is harmless and will resolve with time. However, where a cyst is causing visual problems or is persistent over several months despite conservative management you may be referred to a specialist (Opthalmologist) for consideration of surgical drainage (“incision & curettage”)
If your Optician or GP decides to refer you for incision and curettage of your meibomian cyst, this is subject to NHS referral criteria which will need to be met. Click here to read more about the local criteria in place for meibomian cysts.
Your Optician/GP will be aware of this. In some circumstances your referral may be returned to your Optician or GP.
Useful information about my meibomian cyst
More information about meibomian cysts (Chalazion), provided by Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, is listed below:
Waiting for a specialist opinion
If you have been referred for a specialist opinion your details will be reviewed, and it may be recommended that you are seen by a hospital clinician. Information to support you in choosing your preferred hospital, including waiting times can be found below.
How long will I wait?
If a hospital assessment and/or treatment is clinically recommended you will be referred for to a specialist. Click below to find out more about waiting times for routine hospital assessment and/or treatment.