Eyelid cyst / chalazion removal (incision and curettage of a chalazion (meibomian cyst))
A small procedure to drain and scrape out a blocked, swollen oil gland in the eyelid (a chalazion or meibomian cyst) that has not settled on its own.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- A chalazion is a blocked, swollen oil gland in the eyelid — not a cancer and not a stye — and most settle on their own with warm compresses over weeks.
- Incision and curettage drains and scrapes out a persistent or troublesome lump, but it does not stop new ones forming in people who are prone to them.
- It is a quick outpatient procedure, usually under local anaesthetic, with little or no time off needed.
- Removal on the NHS is usually limited to set criteria; a stubborn or unusual lump may be sent for testing to rule out anything more serious.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.
Drains a lump that has not settled on its own
The lump is actually a stye or an acute infection, which is treated differently and often settles on its own.
The eye may be padded for a short time and feel a little sore as the local anaesthetic wears off. Use any antibiotic ointment as directed.
Clear advice on using ointment or drops and keeping the area clean.
The eye may be padded for a short time and feel a little sore as the local anaesthetic wears off. Use any...
Bruising and swelling are common and settle gradually. Most people return to normal activity within a day or two.
Swelling usually settles and any external stitches dissolve or are removed. The lump continues to flatten.
Any remaining firmness usually softens. If a lump persists or returns, it should be reviewed.
What is eyelid cyst / chalazion removal?
A chalazion (also called a meibomian cyst) is a firm lump in the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland. The gland backs up and the body walls off the trapped oil, forming a usually not painful or mildly tender swelling. It is not a cancer and not the same as a stye, which is a short-lived infected gland.
Most chalazia settle by themselves over weeks to months, especially with simple measures such as warm compresses and gentle lid massage. When a lump is large, persistent, keeps getting infected, or is bothersome, a small procedure can drain and scrape it out. This is called incision and curettage.
The procedure is usually quick and done under local anaesthetic in a clinic. The honest expectation to set is that it treats the lump that is there now: it does not stop new chalazia forming, and people prone to them may get others in future. It is also worth knowing that a single steroid injection into the lump is an alternative for some, and that simple warm-compress treatment first is often expected before surgery.
Very rarely, a lump that looks like a chalazion but keeps coming back in the same place can be something else, so a stubborn or unusual lump may be sent for testing.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Incision and curettage vs steroid injection
| Point | Incision & curettage | Steroid injection |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Drains and scrapes the cyst | Steroid shrinks the lump |
| Anaesthetic | Local injection | Local, often less |
| Repeat needed? | Sometimes | May need repeating |
| Scar risk | Small | Minimal |
Both can work well. The right choice depends on the size and position of the lump and your preference; your eye specialist will advise.
Preparing for your procedure
- Have the lump examined by a GP or eye specialist to confirm it is a chalazion and not a stye or something needing different treatment.
- Try warm compresses, lid cleaning and gentle massage for several weeks first, as many chalazia settle without a procedure.
- Tell the clinician about any bleeding problems, blood-thinning medicines, or eye conditions.
- Ask whether incision and curettage or a steroid injection is more suitable for you.
- Arrange to be able to get home comfortably; you may have a pad over the eye for a short time.
- For a young child who needs a general anaesthetic, follow the fasting and preparation instructions given.
What happens
The procedure is usually done in a clinic under local anaesthetic, which is injected with a fine needle into the lid around the cyst. Young children who cannot keep still may need a short general anaesthetic.
Once the lid is numb, a small clamp steadies the eyelid, a tiny cut is made — most often on the inside of the lid so there is no visible scar — and the contents of the cyst are scraped out. The eye may be padded for a short time and antibiotic ointment is often given.
The whole thing usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes, and you go home the same day.
Is this procedure right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- The lump is actually a stye or an acute infection, which is treated differently and often settles on its own.
- A new chalazion that has not yet had a fair trial of warm compresses and lid hygiene.
- An active eyelid or eye infection that should be treated first.
- A lump that looks suspicious for something other than a chalazion, which needs assessment and possibly a biopsy rather than simple drainage.
- Significant bleeding risk that has not been managed.
Delay or rearrange if…
- There is active infection of the lid or eye.
- The lump is new and warm-compress treatment has not yet been tried for several weeks.
- You are on blood thinners that need a managed plan.
- A child is unwell and would need a general anaesthetic.
- There is uncertainty about the diagnosis that should be resolved first.
Alternatives to discuss
- Warm compresses, lid hygiene and gentle massage, which resolve many chalazia.
- A steroid (triamcinolone) injection into the lump for suitable cysts.
- Simply leaving a small, usually not painful lump alone and reviewing it.
- Treating underlying blepharitis or rosacea to reduce recurrences.
- Referral for biopsy if the lump is atypical or recurrent.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Comfort, sedation or contrast choices
If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.
Benefits
- Drains a lump that has not settled on its own
- Can relieve a heavy, tender or unsightly swelling in the lid
- Reduces repeated flare-ups of infection in a problem gland
- Often done from inside the lid, leaving no visible scar
- Allows an unusual lump to be tested if there is any doubt about the cause
Risks & complications
- Bruising and swelling of the eyelid for a few days
- Mild soreness or tenderness as the local anaesthetic wears off
- A small amount of bleeding or oozing from the lid
- The lump not disappearing completely straight away
- The chalazion coming back, or a new one forming elsewhere
- Wound infection needing antibiotics
- A small lump of scar tissue or a slightly altered lid contour
- A visible scar if the cut was made on the outside of the lid
- Notching or a change in lid position or lash growth
- Damage to the eye or, very rarely, an effect on vision (a small but serious risk with any eyelid procedure)
- A persistent or recurring lump that turns out to need further investigation
This is a small procedure, but it is still surgery near the eye, so there is a small but real risk to the eye and vision, and the lump can come back or a new one form. If a lump keeps returning in exactly the same place, it should be examined again and may be sent for testing. Ask whether a steroid injection might suit you instead.
Published figures to discuss
This is a low-risk minor procedure. The most relevant uncertainties are whether the lump fully resolves, whether another chalazion forms later, and the small general risk to the eyelid or eye surface that accompanies any eyelid procedure. The figures below are broad because studies use different definitions and follow-up.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution after incision and curettage | Often around 80–90% after one procedure in trials and reviews | A persistent lump may need repeat treatment, steroid injection or biopsy if the diagnosis is uncertain. | Incision and curettage versus steroid injection for chalazia — randomized study (PMC)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure |
| Resolution after steroid injection | Often around 60–85% after one injection, improving with repeat injection in selected cases | Steroid can be useful for multiple or inflamed lesions but may cause temporary skin lightening. | Incision and curettage versus steroid injection for chalazia — randomized study (PMC)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure |
| Recurrence or new chalazion | Common enough to discuss; one long follow-up report cited recurrence/new chalazion around 22–26% | Blepharitis and rosacea increase recurrence risk; lid hygiene matters. | Incision and curettage versus steroid injection for chalazia — randomized study (PMC)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
Recovery is usually quick. There is little physical downtime, but the lid is bruised and swollen for a few days and the lump may take a little longer to fully settle.
- A bruised, puffy eyelid for a few days
- Mild soreness that eases with simple painkillers
- A little residual firmness where the lump was, which settles
- Some watering or a gritty feeling for a day or two
Aftercare
- Use any prescribed antibiotic ointment or drops as directed.
- Keep the area clean and avoid rubbing the eye.
- Use a cool compress for comfort if the lid is swollen.
- Avoid eye make-up and contact lenses until the clinician says it is safe.
- Continue warm compresses and lid hygiene afterwards if you are prone to chalazia, to help prevent new ones.
- Avoid swimming until any wound has healed.
- Return for review if the lump comes back or does not settle.
- Prescribed ointment or drops collected
- Clean flannel for warm or cool compresses
- Eye make-up and contact lenses set aside for a few days
- Lid-hygiene routine planned if you are prone to cysts
- Someone to accompany a child having a general anaesthetic
- Clinic contact number saved if problems arise
Scars and how they heal
When the cut is made on the inside of the eyelid, which is usual, there is no visible scar. If an external cut is needed, a small scar in the lid may result but usually fades and is discreet. Bruising of the lid is common at first and settles over a few days.
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Increasing pain, redness, heat or swelling of the eyelid (signs of spreading infection)
- Swelling spreading to the eye socket, or the eye becoming red, painful or pushed forward
- Any change in or loss of vision — seek help promptly
- Discharge of pus or bleeding that will not stop
- Fever or feeling generally unwell
- A lump that keeps returning in the same place — get it re-examined
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
A good result means the lump drains and settles, the lid becomes comfortable, and any cosmetic concern improves. Some firmness can remain for a short while as the area heals.
It is realistic to know that the procedure treats the lump that is present now. It does not change the tendency to form chalazia, so people who are prone to them may get others, and continuing warm compresses and lid hygiene helps. A lump that does not settle, or keeps coming back in the same spot, should be reviewed and may be tested to be sure of the cause.
Treating one chalazion does not prevent new ones. If you are prone to blocked glands (for example with blepharitis or rosacea), ongoing lid hygiene and warm compresses reduce recurrences. A lump that recurs repeatedly in the same place warrants re-examination.
Related tests, treatments or support
If you have blepharitis or several blocked glands, treating the lid margin and oil glands as a whole — with lid hygiene, warm compresses and sometimes medication — usually matters more than treating a single lump. Your specialist may address these together.
Follow-up & long-term care
Most people do not need routine follow-up after a straightforward procedure, but you should return if the lump persists, recurs, or the lid becomes increasingly red and painful. Any tissue that is sent to the laboratory will be followed up with a result.
- Keep up warm compresses and lid hygiene if you are prone to chalazia.
- Treat any underlying blepharitis or lid-margin disease as advised.
- Have a recurring or unusual lump re-examined rather than assuming it is the same harmless cyst.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- The treated lump can recur, and new chalazia can form in people prone to them.
- A steroid injection may need repeating, or a lump may later need incision and curettage.
- A lump that recurs in the same place should be re-examined and may need a biopsy.
- Ongoing lid hygiene reduces, but does not eliminate, future cysts.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- Clear advice on using ointment or drops and keeping the area clean.
- Guidance on warm compresses and lid hygiene to reduce future cysts.
- A route to be re-examined if the lump persists or recurs.
- A follow-up plan for any tissue sent for laboratory testing.
- Instructions on when to seek help for increasing pain, redness or vision change.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- Specialist's fee and whether one or more lumps are treated
- Clinic or theatre facility fee
- Whether local anaesthetic or, for a child, general anaesthetic is needed
- Any laboratory fee if tissue is sent for testing
- Steroid injection as an alternative or addition
- Follow-up appointments if the lump recurs
- Specialist's fee and how many lumps are included
- Facility fee
- Anaesthetic fee if a general anaesthetic is needed
- Whether laboratory testing, if required, is included
- Follow-up appointment included or extra
- What happens, and what it costs, if the lump recurs or needs a repeat procedure
On the NHS? Removal on the NHS is usually limited to set criteria (such as a long-standing or repeatedly infected lump, or suspicion of something more serious); otherwise it is treated as a routine private or self-pay procedure.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Treating the lump without confirming the diagnosis or considering a more serious cause for a recurrent lump.
- Not explaining that the procedure does not prevent new chalazia.
- Skipping a fair trial of warm-compress treatment in a fresh, simple lump.
- Not mentioning the small but serious risk to the eye with any eyelid procedure.
- Not offering a steroid injection as a possible alternative.
Marketing red flags
- Promising a chalazion will never come back after one procedure.
- Pushing surgery before any conservative treatment has been tried.
- Describing an eyelid procedure as entirely without risk to the eye.
- Not mentioning that a recurrent or unusual lump should be tested.
- Bundling unnecessary extras into a simple lid procedure.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.
- Is this definitely a chalazion, or could it be something else?
- Would a steroid injection suit me better than incision and curettage?
- Will the cut be on the inside or outside of the lid, and will there be a scar?
- What can I do to stop new chalazia forming?
- Might this be covered on the NHS, and do I meet the criteria?
- What should I do if the lump comes back?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the specialist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a chalazion removed on the NHS?
Will it come back?
Does it hurt?
Should I try anything before having it removed?
Will there be a scar?
Could it be something serious?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: Moorfields Eye Hospital — Chalazion NHS — Stye and chalazion (eyelid lumps) Royal College of Ophthalmologists — patient information Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT — Treatment for a chalazion / meibomian cyst (PDF) Cheshire & Merseyside ICB — Chalazia (meibomian cysts) removal criteria (PDF) Incision and curettage versus steroid injection for chalazia — randomized study (PMC) Chalazion treatment clinical-trials review
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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