Stye and chalazion (eyelid cyst) removal in London: a consultant's guide

A stye is a painful, red infected gland at the edge of the eyelid that usually comes to a head and settles within one to two weeks. A chalazion is a firm, usually painless lump caused by a blocked oil (meibomian) gland, often further back in the lid. People often call both an 'eye cyst'.

Try this first

Warm compresses for five to ten minutes twice a day, followed by gentle lid massage and lid hygiene, clear many styes and early chalazia. Do not squeeze or try to pierce a lump. More background is in our stye guide and chalazion guide.

When to see a consultant

A chalazion that has lasted more than four to six weeks despite warm compresses; a lump that keeps returning in the same place; one large enough to blur vision by pressing on the eye; or any lid lump that bleeds, ulcerates, causes lash loss or changes in shape or colour. Spreading redness and swelling of the whole eyelid with fever needs urgent same-day medical care.

What chalazion removal involves

Incision and curettage is a short procedure under local anaesthetic. The lid is numbed, a small clamp holds it steady, and the cyst is drained through a tiny incision on the inside of the lid, so there is usually no visible scar. It typically takes 10–15 minutes. Some lumps are suitable for a steroid injection instead. Where a lump recurs or looks unusual, the tissue can be sent for histology. See the stye and chalazion treatment page and eyelid lesion removal for details.

Recovery

Expect a padded eye for a few hours, some bruising and mild swelling for several days, and antibiotic ointment for about a week. Most people return to desk work the next day. Treating any underlying blepharitis reduces the chance of new lumps — see blepharitis and dry eye treatment.

Appointments in London

Ms Tahmina Pearsall assesses and treats eyelid lumps at Harley Street and other clinic locations. If a lump was treated elsewhere and has come back, a second opinion is reasonable.

Ms Tahmina Pearsall is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon who qualified in 1993 and has more than 30 years of experience and over 50,000 procedures performed. She trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital, and sees private patients at multiple clinic locations, including Harley Street in London. Read her full credentials.

The first telephone enquiry is free — arrange a free initial call to explain what happened and check whether a review is likely to help. A full clinical consultation with Ms Pearsall costs £250. Treatment prices are listed on the pricing page and confirmed in writing after examination.

This article is general information written for patients and does not replace an individual examination. A second opinion is an independent clinical assessment; it is not a legal review and does not by itself decide whether care elsewhere was right or wrong.