What Happens If a Stye or Chalazion Is Left Untreated?

Sometimes people can get confused with the difference between a chalazion and stye. They are both conditions of the eyelid, but there are several differences. One major difference is that a stye usually has an infection while a chalazion does not.

A stye occurs when the glands in the eyelid get an infection. It usually manifests as a pimple close to the eyelid's surface and often has pus at the top. It can be quite painful as it develops; if untreated, it can turn into a chalazion. 

A chalazion often develops very slowly as a small swollen, tender, red area on the eyelid. It is not an infection; rather, it results from a blocked gland. Within a few days, it can grow to the size of a pea, and people sometimes confuse it with a stye. 

Risk Factors for Styes and Chalazion

• Touching your eyes with dirty hands.

• Putting contacts on when they are not well disinfected or using dirty hands.

• Sleeping with eye makeup on.

• Using old or expired beauty products or makeup.

• Blepharitis is a condition that affects the eyelid with chronic inflammation.

• Rosacea is a skin condition that usually presents as redness of the face.

• Seborrheic dermatitis is a condition that makes the skin itchy, red, dry, and flaky.

• Tuberculosis.

• Viral infections.

Symptoms

• A lump or bump, commonly in the upper eyelid and rarely on the lower eyelid, which is painless if it is chalazion but painful if it is a stye.

• A stye occurs due to an infection, while the oil causes chalazion in the meibomian glands, which leads to a blockage.

• Both conditions lead to tearing of the eye and irritation because the eyes do not have enough tears.

• If the bump is large enough to press on the eye, it may cause blurred vision.

• Chalazia are more common in people between ages 30 to 50 and rarely ever occur in children.

• A chalazion will often heal on its own over several weeks without needing treatment, but it can recur.

Diagnosis

If you have a chalazion or a stye, it is best to see your eye doctor, like your ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara. Your ophthalmologist will know how to examine either of the two and provide treatment. 

Your eye doctor may ask you about your health history during the consultation. Health history is important to determine if any underlying conditions led to the stye or chalazion. 

Then, they will conduct an external eye exam where they will examine the external structures of the eye. They will check the skin texture around the eye, the state of the eyelids, and the eyelashes.

Next, they will conduct a thorough examination of your eyelids. They will use a bright light and magnification to check the base of our eyelashes. They will also examine the openings of the oil glands.

Treatment

Most chalazion will heal independently over a few weeks or within a month. Styes, if left untreated, will often turn into a chalazion. The best way to treat chalazion is by using a warm compress, gently massaging, and good hygiene.

For more on what happens if a stye or chalazion is left untreated, call Santa Barbara Eyecare at our offices in Santa Barbara at (805) 967-9990 or (805) 451-8180 to speak with our team today.