Stye vs. Chalazion: Key Differences and Treatment Options

The thin skin of your eyelids serves two critical purposes: protecting your eyes from bright light, dust, wind and other irritants, and keeping them moist through tears and other secretions. Sometimes, however, glands in the eyelid or the eyelash hair follicle can become blocked, which may cause a stye or a chalazion to develop.¹

While it can be easy to confuse these two conditions, they aren’t the same. Let’s find out how they differ and how to treat them.

What Is a Stye?

A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a tiny, red, often painful bump that resembles a pimple and forms on or under any area of your upper or lower eyelid or eyelash base.¹

There are two types of styes: external (on the outside of the eyelid) and internal (on the inside). While external styes are more common than internal, they are typically milder and shorter in duration.²

What Is a Chalazion?

A chalazion is a painless eyelid bump caused by a backed-up meibomian (oil) gland in the upper or lower eyelid. An infected and inflamed stye that has not been treated can also become a chalazion; more than one is referred to as chalazia. These are more common in adults aged 30 to 50.³

Common Causes

Here are some common factors that can lead to developing styes and chalazions.

Stye

A stye develops when the pores of the oil glands become blocked by debris, which causes staphylococcus aureus bacteria to grow, leading to infection.²

Styes can happen to anyone at any age.² You are more likely to get them if you’ve had one before.⁴ Unlike conjunctivitis (pink eye), styes are not contagious.⁵

You are also more likely to get a stye if you:⁴

• Don’t keep your eye area clean, including nightly makeup removal

• Have blepharitis, an eye condition that causes inflammation

• Have a condition such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis or diabetes

• Inadvertently use contaminated mascara or eyeliner

• Wear contact lenses

Chalazion

Some potential factors that can increase your chances of developing a chalazion include:³

• Chronic blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

• Medical issues, such as tuberculosis or diabetes¹

• Skin conditions, such as acne, rosacea or seborrhea

• Viral infections

Symptoms

Below are some common signs that you may be developing either a stye or chalazion.

Stye

While the red, swollen bump at the base of the eyelashes is your first sign, there are some other potential symptoms of a stye:⁴

• Eyelid crusting

• Increased tear production

• Light sensitivity

• Scratchy sensation or feeling like there is something lodged in your eye

Chalazion

Unlike a stye, a chalazion is generally painless. Here’s what to look for:³

• Blurry vision, if the chalazion becomes too large

• Increased tear production

• Mild irritation

If the chalazion is big, it may cause your eyelid to become red, swollen and tender to the touch.¹

Treatments for Styes and Chalazia

Both styes and chalazia usually disappear on their own within a few weeks. If not, the following at-home treatments could be helpful:⁶

• Keeping it clean. Try not to touch or rub your eye except to gently wipe away any eyelid drainage.

• Gentle massaging. With clean hands, gently work the area to assist the gland in clearing itself.¹

• Using a warm compress. Wet a clean washcloth in warm water and apply to your eyelid for five to 10 minutes up to four times daily.

• Going bare. Avoid wearing makeup and contact lenses while a stye or chalazion is present.

• Leaving it alone. Never squeeze the stye or chalazion, which can cause it to pop, increasing pain and irritation and spreading the infection.

If the stye or chalazion drains on its own, keep the area clean and refrain from touching the eyes.³

When to Seek Medical Treatment

While styes and chalazia are likely to go away on their own, consult your ophthalmologist for an official diagnosis if these signs are present:⁷

• Blistering, crusting or scaling of the eyelids

• The entire eyelid or eye itself is red

• Extreme light sensitivity or excessive tears

• Recurring issue

• Vision problems

• Your eyelid bump bleeds

If the bump from a stye or chalazion is affecting your vision, it may need to be drained. This surgery will take place in the doctor’s office using local anesthesia.¹

Stye and Chalazion Treatment Costs

The national average cost* in the U.S. for an initial office visit for those with a stye or chalazion is $93 but can range from $74 to $176.⁸

Your provider might suggest one of several different types of treatments. More persistent or severe issues cost more and might require advanced treatments, such as antibiotics or lancing. Costs vary between topical antibiotics and potentially necessary oral antibiotics.⁸

Here are some typical treatment costs you might encounter:⁸

Average cost to lance and drain a stye

If a stye is affecting your vision, it may need to be lanced and drained in the doctor’s office.¹ The national average cost* to lance and drain your eye in the U.S. is $181 but can range from $140 to $352.⁸

Costs can vary significantly between general practitioners and specialists like ophthalmologists. These costs preclude any cost reduction that may be provided by a health insurance plan or vision plan.⁸

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* to lance and drain a stye by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁸

Average cost to surgically remove a chalazion

If the chalazion is affecting your vision, it may need to be surgically removed. This surgery will take place in the doctor’s office.¹

The national average cost* to surgically remove a chalazion in the U.S. is $804 but can range from $620 to $1,566.⁸

Costs can vary significantly between general practitioners and specialists like ophthalmologists. These costs preclude any cost reduction that may be provided by a health insurance plan or vision plan.⁸

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* to surgically remove a chalazion by all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁸

Prevention Tips

The best offense against styes and chalazia is a good defense. There are ways to avoid these bumps:⁹

• Keep the eyelid area extra clean by washing your eyelids with warm water and mild soap, such as baby shampoo.

• Pay attention to the age of your eye makeup (particularly your mascara) and replace it every six months to avoid bacteria growth.

• Wash your hands thoroughly anytime you are touching your eyes, such as to put on makeup, remove contact lenses or even rub your eyes.

• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from pollutants when you're around dust or dirt, such as when raking leaves or mowing the lawn.

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for a Stye or Chalazion Treatment

Whether you’re paying for eye surgery or getting an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Cathie Ericson is an Oregon-based freelance writer who covers personal finance, real estate and education, among other topics. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications and websites, including U.S. News & World Report, MSN, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, Fast Company, Realtor.com and more.