Which statement is true about chalazion compared to hordeolum?

Which statement is true about chalazion compared to hordeolum?

• A. It is associated with sterile inflammation due to obstruction of Meibomian glands.
• B. It is contagious.
• C. It is a painless lesion.
• D. It is caused by viruses.

Answer: (A)

Chalazion is a sterile, noninfectious granulomatous inflammation that happens when the duct of a Meibomian gland becomes obstructed. The lipid material leaks into the eyelid tissue and evokes a granulomatous inflammatory response rather than an infection. Because there’s no infectious agent involved, chalazion is not contagious and is typically painless, distinguishing it from a hordeolum, which is an acute bacterial infection of eyelid glands and often painful. Viruses do not cause chalazion. So the statement that chalazion is associated with sterile inflammation due to obstruction of Meibomian glands best captures the difference from hordeolum.