Our Chalazion Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of Chalazion

Definition of Chalazion

Eye Diseases and Conditions Slideshow

Chalazion: A cyst of the little glands in the eyelids that make a lubricant which they discharge through tiny openings in the edges of the lids. The lubricant is a fatty substance called sebum characteristic of sebaceous glands.

These glands are called the meibomian glands. Inflammation of them is termed meibomianitis or, alternatively, meibomitis. Chronic inflammation of the meibomian glands leads to meibomian cysts or chalazions.

The word "chalazion" is Greek for small pimple (and little hail). Like a pimple, a chalazion is an inflamed swelling. But instead of being on the skin, a chalazion is in the margin of the eyelid.

The meibomian glands are named for a 17th-century German anatomist Heinrich Meibom (who must have had good eyes to see these minute structures). They are also known as the palpebral glands, tarsal glands, or tarsoconjunctival glands.

Common Misspellings: chalazia

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Sty (Stye) - Read about styes (hordeloa), bacterial infections of the eyelid. Learn sty causes, symptoms and treatment (OTC medication, ointment). A chalazion is often confused with a sty.
• Blepharitis - Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) may be caused by Staphylococcal infection, allergies or head lice. Blepharitis, in turn, may cause styes, pinkeye and chalazions. Learn more.

Read more Chalazion related articles »

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