sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Chalazion: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for reduced vision, pain when moving the eye, difficulty moving the eye, a bulging eye, severe swelling around the eye, or severe illness.

    These are not typical features of a simple chalazion and can occur with infection involving deeper tissues around the eye.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange prompt medical assessment for a lump that:

    • Repeatedly returns in the same location
    • Causes eyelashes to fall out
    • Bleeds, forms an open sore, or has an irregular surface
    • Continues to enlarge
    • Causes persistent vision changes
    • Occurs with widespread eyelid redness or increasing pain

    Seek urgent same-day care for rapidly worsening redness or swelling, significant tenderness, pus-like drainage, or fever.

    These symptoms may indicate an infection that needs treatment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate if a chalazion is not clearly improving after several weeks of consistent warm compresses, keeps returning, becomes large, or affects vision.

    An appointment is also reasonable when the diagnosis is uncertain or eyelid inflammation occurs often.

The article also says

After an injection or surgical procedure, follow the eye specialist's instructions.

Contact the treating clinician if pain or swelling is worsening rather than settling, bleeding does not stop, or vision changes.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Chalazion. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.