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Hard, painless lump in the eyelid (chalazion)

A hard lump in the eyelid that does not hurt is often a chalazion. A small gland in the eyelid becomes blocked, forming a firm lump. A chalazion is different from an acutely painful stye and often goes away slowly. Do not squeeze it. Have lumps assessed if they keep coming back, persist or look unusual.

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  • A hard lump in the eyelid that does not hurt is often a chalazion.
  • A chalazion develops when a small gland in the eyelid becomes blocked and is usually benign.
  • It can remain for weeks and often disappears slowly.
  • Squeezing or trying to empty it is not a good idea, as this can cause irritation or infection.
  • A lump that keeps coming back or looks unusual needs assessment.

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