Styes and Chalazions

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

STYES
Localised infection or inflammation of eye lid margin usually caused by staphylococcal infection.
- External - on eye lid- infected eye lash follicle/gland
- internal on conjunctival surface of eye lid - infected Meibomian gland
- chronic blepharitis and acne rosacea = Risk factors

Chalazions
A meibomian cyst - sterile, chronic, inflammatory granuloma of the eyelid.
- Caused by a foreign body reaction to sebum within a meibomian gland.
Risk factors; Pregnant, Blepharitis, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Rosacea,
DM, Elevated serum cholesterol

Question 2

Signs and symptoms/ Assessment

Answer 2

STYES
- Red
- swollen bump that looks like a pimple
- Tender on touch
- Pain
- uni or bi lateral
Assessment: Examination of eye, Socrates

Chalazions
- More common upper lid
- 2-8 mm diameter
- uni or bi lateral
- when eye lid everted (eye lid inside outside) granuloma visible.

Question 3

Treatment

Answer 3

STYES
SELF LIMITING. (5-7 days)
Warm compress may help
- Can remove the eyelash
- Incision of style with fine sterile needle.

Chalazions
Warm compresses at 15-minute intervals. THEN massage cyst in eye lash direction. 5/day for weeks.
ANTIBIOTIC NOT RECOMMENDED.

BOTH:
Refer if tumour sus and vision loss Hospital admission if cellulitis sus