Also called chalazion. A firm, usually painless lump in the lid.
What it is
A chalazion is a blocked oil gland in the lid, which forms a firm lump. Most settle in time; some need draining.
Symptoms
A firm, usually painless lump in the lid, sometimes with swelling and redness at first, and blurring if it presses on the eye.
Causes
Blockage of one of the small oil glands in the lid, often with blepharitis or rosacea.
When to get it checked
Have a lump checked if it lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back in the same place, bleeds, or has lost lashes near it.
How it is checked
Every plan starts with an examination by a consultant, not a photograph or a questionnaire.
- Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record.
- What your consultant finds is explained in plain English, there and then.
- You leave with a written plan and, where treatment is right for you, a written fee.
- You are never asked to decide on the day.
If surgery is not the right answer, your consultant will say so, and explain what happens if you do nothing.
Questions patients ask
Do I need a referral?
No. You can request a consultation directly. A letter from your GP or optometrist is helpful if you have one, and your insurer may ask for it.
Will I need surgery?
Not always. Your consultant will explain whether treatment is needed, what each option involves, and what happens if you do nothing.
What happens at the consultation?
Your consultant examines your lids, measures their height and position, and checks the surface of your eye and how well it closes. Photographs are taken for your record. You leave with a written plan and fee, and time to decide.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic team will offer the first suitable appointment, and sooner where your consultant judges it urgent.