Symptoms

The initial symptom is a small swelling on the eyelid that often looks like a stye. It may or may not be painful. After a few days, the swelling on the eyelid often begins to:

• Harden
• Grow slowly, forming into a hard lump

A chalazion can cause complications, though not often. These include:

• Localized infection at the site of the chalazion
• Visual problems due to the chalazion pushing against and distorting the shape of the cornea

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform an eye exam. Rarely, a sample of fluid from the chalazion is taken and tested in a lab.