Chalazion

While we were at Ryan's eye surgeon, I took the chance to ask her about Abby's stye that still hasn't gone away. Dr. Goodman said that it is more likely what's called a chalazion, and not a stye, though they are similar. Whereas a stye is red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid caused by an infected eyelash follicle, a chalazion tends to develop farther from the edge of the eyelid and is not caused by infection from bacteria but from a gland becoming blogged with oil secretions.

The treatment? Same thing we've been doing for months: warm compresses four to five times a day. It really hasn't seemed to be helping, so I've gone in spurts where I do it for a week and then give up. However, Abby has an eye exam next month with her opthalmologist, so I will keep doing it until the visit and see what the doctor says then. Ryan's surgeon said there is an ointment that can be prescribed for stubborn chalazia, so perhaps we will get some of that next month.