What is the Difference Between Hordeolum and Chalazion

The key difference between hordeolum and chalazion is that hordeolum is a painful infectious condition on the edge of the eyelid that comes on quickly, while chalazion is a less painful, non-infectious condition on the inside edge of the eyelid that prevails for a  long duration.

Hordeolum and chalazion are two different conditions of the edge of the eyelid. Hordeolum is an infection caused by a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus, while chalazion is caused by the blockage of the gland at the base of an eyelash.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hordeolum
3. What is Chalazion
4. Similarities – Hordeolum and Chalazion
5. Hordeolum vs. Chalazion in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hordeolum vs. Chalazion

What is Hordeolum?

Hordeolum is an eyelid condition, also known as stye. This condition results in a tender red bump on the edge of the eyelid. The symptoms of this condition may include swelling, redness or pain in the eyelid, tenderness in the eyelid, feeling something struck in the eye, discomfort with bright light, tearing, and crusting of the eye. Hordeolum occurs when a gland on the edge of the eyelid gets infected by a bacterium like Staphylococcus aureus. When it happens inside or under the eyelid, it is known as an internal hordeolum. The risk factors for this condition include previously having had hordeolum, wearing contact lenses, not cleaning eyes properly, using eye makeup that is old or contaminated, having other eye conditions such as blepharitis, and having other conditions such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or diabetes mellitus.

Hordeolum can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination. Furthermore, treatment options for hordeolum may include eyelid hygiene such as lid scrubs, warm compresses of the eye lesions for 10 minutes four times per day, and applying topical antibiotic ointment in the inferior fornix.

What is Chalazion?

Chalazion is a painless eyelid condition due to the blockage of the gland at the base of an eyelash. It results in a small, painless lump on the edge of the eyelid of the eye. Some additional causes of chalazion include rosacea, chronic blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and viral infections. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include a painless bump in the eyelid, which is usually on the upper lid, mild irritation, and blurred vision. The risk factors for chalazion include blepharitis, rosacea, previous chalazion demodicosis, low serum vitamin A, gastrointestinal inflammation, and smoking.

Chalazion is diagnosed through health history, external eye examination, and eyelid examination. Furthermore, treatment options for chalazion may include warm compresses, massage, good hygiene, draining fluid through a small incision, and injection of steroids to reduce swelling and inflammation.

What are the Similarities Between Hordeolum and Chalazion?

• Hordeolum and chalazion are two different conditions of the edge of the eyelid.
• They are not life-threatening conditions.
• Both conditions result in a bump in the eyelids.
• They can be diagnosed through an eye examination.
• They are treated through good hygiene and specific medications.

What is the Difference Between Hordeolum and Chalazion?

Hordeolum is a painful infectious condition on the edge of the eyelid that comes on quickly, while chalazion is a less painful, non-infectious condition on the inside edge of the eyelid that prevails for a long duration. Thus, this is the key difference between hordeolum and chalazion. Furthermore, the risk factors for hordeolum include previously having had hordeolum, wearing contact lenses, not cleaning eyes properly, using eye makeup that is old or contaminated, having other eye conditions such as blepharitis, and having other conditions such as rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, the risk factors for chalazion include blepharitis, rosacea, previous chalazion demodicosis, low serum vitamin A, gastrointestinal inflammation, and smoking.

The infographic below presents the differences between hordeolum and chalazion in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Hordeolum vs. Chalazion

An eyelid infection happens when a gland along the lash line of the eye becomes clogged or irritated. Most commonly, it can be due to a bacterial infection or blockage of the gland. Hordeolum and chalazion are two different conditions of the edge of the eyelid. Hordeolum is a painful infectious condition on the edge of the eyelid that comes on quickly, while chalazion is a less painful, non-infectious condition on the inside edge of the eyelid that prevails for a long time. Moreover, a hordeolum is due to a bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus, whereas chalazion is due to the blockage of the gland at the base of an eyelash, rosacea, chronic blepharitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and viral infection. So, this summarizes the difference between hordeolum and chalazion.

Reference:

1. “Hordeolum.” StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.
2. “Chalazion: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hordeolum” By Michal Klajban – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Chalazion, lower lid” By Community Eye Health (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr