Differences between chalazion and hordeolum
| Chalazion | Hordeolum | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Chronic lipogranuloma due to leakage of sebum from an obstructed meibomian gland | Acute abscess within an eyelid gland, usually staphylococcal in origin. Subdivided into internal (meibomian gland) and external (gland of Zeis or Moll) |
| Risk factors and associations | Blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne rosacea | Diabetes, blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne rosacea, high serum lipids |
| Presentation | Any age, gradually enlarging painless lesion | Any age, acute painful lesion |
| Signs | Nontender, variable size, roundish, firm lesion within the tarsal plate | Internal: tender, painful swelling within the tarsal plate; may enlarge and discharge anteriorly (through the skin) or posteriorly (through the conjunctiva) External: tender, painful swelling in the eyelid margin pointing anteriorly through the skin |
| Treatment options | Warm compresses and massage | Internal: Warm compresses and massage |
| Corticosteroid injection | Oral antibiotics (if associated with preseptal cellulitis) | |
| Incision and curettage | Incision and curettage | |
| External: Warm compresses and massage Oral antibiotics (if associated with preseptal cellulitis) Epilation of infected follicle | ||
| When to refer to an ophthalmologist | No improvement or resolution with conservative measures | No improvement or resolution with conservative measures |
| Interferes with vision | Signs of preseptal or orbital cellulitis | |
| Recurrent nodules | Suspected cancer | |
| Suspected cancer |