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Eyelids and tear film · 09
Blepharitis, stye and chalazion
Red lid lumps · do not squeeze yourself
Last reviewed: 2026-10-03 · 潘家健醫生
Key points
Blepharitis is lid-margin inflammation; a stye is usually an acute painful infection; a chalazion is often a blocked meibomian gland lump.
Do not squeeze lid lumps hard yourself.
Warm compresses are common home care; if they fail or the lump persists, a doctor may discuss incision and curettage.
Marked red painful swelling, fever, vision affected or a rapidly enlarging lump: see a doctor promptly; if severe or you cannot travel: 999 / A&E.
What it is
Blepharitis is chronic lash-line inflammation, often with meibomian dysfunction, Demodex or seborrhoea. A stye is an acute painful infection. A chalazion is a blocked meibomian granuloma, usually less painful. Incision is considered only if home care fails, and only after a doctor decides.
What a doctor may discuss
A doctor may suggest warm compress, massage and lid cleaning as home-care direction; time and method follow the consultation. Do not squeeze.
A stye may need prescribed antibiotics. Repeated attacks: refraction or medical tests are considered by risk, not automatically every time
Chalazion incision and curettage is usually from the conjunctival side to reduce skin scarring; recurrence varies with technique and the patient, and is not your personal prognosis
Atypical, non-resolving or recurrent lumps with lash loss, ulcer or thickening — especially in older patients — may need pathology; not every recurrent chalazion is automatically sent
Video source: Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society (HKOS) “Eyes Decoded” YouTube (public education)
This site is not affiliated with, and is not the same organisation as, the Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society (HKOS).
This is general medical information, not a diagnosis, and cannot replace an in-person consultation with a registered ophthalmologist, refraction, or a dilated fundus exam. It is not advice to use any medicine or undergo any procedure. Medicines (including off-label use), laser or surgery must be decided by a registered doctor after examination, according to indications and Hong Kong registration. Figures from the literature are published averages, not any clinic’s results. This site does not book, prescribe or refer. Do not change treatment on your own.
