What is a Chalazion (compared to a Stye)?
Styes and chalazia are both lumps that can form on the eyelid, but they have different causes and characteristics.
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a small, painful lump that forms at the base of an eyelash or within an eyelid oil gland. Styes are typically caused by a bacterial infection. They usually appear red, swollen, and may contain pus. Styes can be painful and may cause discomfort, especially when blinking. If Left untreated, a stye may turn into a Chalazion.
A chalazion is a small, usually painless lump or swelling that forms within the eyelid. It occurs when there’s a blockage in one of the small oil glands (meibomian glands) in the eyelid. These glands produce oil that helps lubricate the eye. When the gland becomes blocked, the oil backs up and forms a lump.
Chalazia can vary in size and may cause tenderness, redness, and swelling in the eyelid. Chalazia may require medical treatment, such as IPL, Radiofrequency, antibiotics, or in some cases, surgical drainage. Both Hordeolums and Chalazia are treated effectively with Intense Pulse Light (IPL) and Forma I-Radiofrequency.
IPL for Chalazia
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy has particularly useful as a treatment option for chalazia, particularly in cases where traditional antibiotics have been ineffective. IPL uses broad-spectrum light pulses to target blood vessels and inflammation in the eyelid, which can help reduce the size and severity of the chalazion.
During an IPL session for chalazion treatment, the practitioner applies a cooling gel to the affected area and then administers pulses of light using a specialized handheld device. The light energy is absorbed by the blood vessels and inflammatory cells associated with the chalazion, leading to their destruction or reduction in size. Generally 1-2 treatments are necessary to treat moderate hordeolums or chalazia.
Forma-I Radiofrequency for Chalazia
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy is also utilized as a treatment option for hordeolums (styes) and chalazia, particularly in cases where traditional treatments like warm compresses and antibiotic ointments have been ineffective or if the stye recurs frequently.
RF therapy involves the use of electromagnetic waves to generate heat within tissues, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing. In the context of hordeolum treatment, RF therapy may be applied to the affected area to target and shrink the inflamed gland or surrounding tissues, thereby aiding in the resolution of the stye or chalazia.
During an RF therapy session for hordeolum treatment, a specialized device called Forma-I is used to deliver controlled RF energy to the affected eyelid. The heat generated by the RF waves can help to open blocked oil glands, reduce inflammation, and promote drainage of the stye. Generally 3-4 treatments are necessary to treat moderate hordeolums or chalazia.