Eyelid Lesions in San Antonio, TX

Board-certified ophthalmologists Dr. Allison Young and Dr. Jana Waters offer a variety of treatment options for common eyelid conditions, including minor surgery. Our skilled surgeons have years of diverse training and experience in the diagnosis and removal of annoying growths, like styes and chalazions. These lumps and bumps are very common but can cause great irritation and even impair vision, depending on their size and location on the eyelid. If you have an eye lesion that is causing pain or compromising your vision, call Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center in San Antonio, TX today. We will be happy to set up an exam so you can get the care you need.

Our compassionate team at Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center has helped restore the optical health of countless patients and has extensive experience in treating a wide variety of mild to severe eye conditions. Chalazions and styes are the most common types of eye lesions, but these can be difficult to diagnosis because they are very similar in appearance. We will take our time to properly examine your condition and determine the best form of treatment, but the main differences between these are:

Chalazion: This is a cyst-like bump that grows within the eyelid, which is usually the result of a blocked or inflamed oil gland. It can develop gradually but can eventually become a pea-sized bump near the lash line, which can blur vision and cause great discomfort. Although the lesion itself isn't usually painful or contagious, the location is what causes irritation and sensitivity. 

Stye: This is a bump that develops along the lash line as a result of a bacterial infection of an eyelash. It is generally red in appearance and small in size but can be acutely uncomfortable. A stye is contagious, which is why it's important to practice good hand hygiene and not rub your other eye to help prevent contamination.

There are many home remedies that can help improve your condition and ease discomfort. However, when at-home care isn't enough and a stye or chalazion hasn't resolved on its own after a few days, surgical intervention may be necessary. On average, we typically only recommend surgery to patients whose vision is severely compromised by the lesion or to those who have not had any success with other treatments. These cases are typically rare. 

When you visit Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center, we will examine your eye and perform a few tests to determine your diagnosis. Once we have concluded whether your lesion is a chalazion or a stye, we will move forward with treatment. Generally, these lesions will clear up on their own within a few days and can be eased with a warm compress and/or the use of over-the-counter pain medication. 

If you don't experience any relief after a few days and your vision is significantly impaired, we may need to drain the bump or suggest surgical excision. This is a minimally invasive procedure that surgically removes the lesion from the eyelid to restore optimal health. Surgery is considered the last resort and is only performed when deemed medically necessary.

Typically, most treatments can be performed at home, such as the routine use of hot compresses or over-the-counter medication. However, if drainage or surgery is needed, these minor procedures will be conducted at our office but are considered outpatient treatments. This means that you will be free to return home or resume your usual routine almost immediately afterward. We may also give you a prescription for antibiotic eye drops or ointments to use as directed to aid in your healing and to help decrease the risk of infection. All post-operative care instructions should be followed carefully and if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our office. Most patients generally see improvement after about 1 – 2 weeks.

Although annoying, a stye or chalazion often clear up on their own with the use of hot compresses, but if your vision is severely affected or you are experiencing a lot of discomfort, professional treatment may be needed. Call Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center in San Antonio, TX to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled ophthalmologists today. We can help provide the quality care you need.