Eyelid function and condition
Patients with a firm eyelid nodule that does not reduce after prescribed conservative care.
About the service
Chalazion removal is considered after examination and assessment of other treatment options. The approach and follow-up depend on the lesion’s size, location and course.
Who the service is for
Astigmatism
Patients with a large chalazion that presses on the cornea, causes astigmatic changes or discomfort, or interferes with vision.
Retreatment
Patients with recurrent chalazia after evaluation of the underlying recurrence factors.
Multiple lesions
Patients with multiple lesions when the surgeon considers single-session or staged removal appropriate.
Clarifying the diagnosis through tissue examination
Patients in whom another eyelid lesion cannot be confidently excluded and excision with pathology is recommended.
Avoid self-treatment
Do not squeeze or puncture the nodule yourself. This increases the risk of injury and infection and can complicate diagnosis.
Inflammation and infection
Active suppuration, marked inflammation or widespread swelling may first require treatment of the acute process; the doctor determines when elective removal can be performed.
Do not change medicines yourself
Anticoagulant use and bleeding disorders require individual planning. Medicines must not be stopped without medical advice.
Retreatment
Expected postoperative effects can include swelling, bruising, soreness, minor bleeding and temporary discomfort. Infection, scarring, incomplete removal or recurrence are less common risks.
Eyelid lesion
A lesion recurring in exactly the same location, atypical shape, lash loss or non-healing ulceration should prompt exclusion of eyelid neoplasia.
Clarifying the diagnosis through tissue examination
If the lesion recurs in the same location, tell the doctor and bring previous operative and pathology reports if available.
Report medicines affecting blood clotting
Tell the surgeon about anticoagulants or other medicines that affect bleeding. Do not stop them without medical advice.
Avoid eye makeup
If removal has already been scheduled, arrive without eye makeup and confirm instructions about contact lenses, food and laboratory tests.
When urgent care is needed
Seek urgent care for rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, fever, redness spreading around the eye or reduced vision.
Symptoms requiring urgent care
Severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, fever, reduced vision or spreading periocular inflammation requires urgent assessment.
Limitations and safety
Severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, fever, reduced vision or spreading periocular inflammation requires urgent assessment.
Book a consultation
Stages
Stage 1
Ophthalmic examination
The doctor reviews duration, inflammation and recurrence, examines the eyelid and everts it if needed to assess its inner surface.
Stage 2
Management choice
A small recent chalazion may be managed conservatively; a firm, large or recurrent nodule may require removal.
Stage 3
Preparation
The surgeon determines required tests, reviews medicines and selects local anaesthesia.
Stage 4
Removal
After anaesthesia and lid fixation, a small conjunctival or skin incision is made and the contents and capsule removed.
Stage 5
Completion
Sutures and a dressing are applied if needed.
Stage 6
Recovery
The patient receives local care instructions and a review date.
Service benefits
Removal of a persistent lump
Chalazion removal addresses a persistent lump when conservative treatment is insufficient.
Less local discomfort
Removing a large chalazion can reduce pressure and irritation caused by that particular lump.
A localised procedure
When suitable, removal is performed under local anaesthesia; children and some patients need a different anaesthetic plan.
An opportunity to clarify the lesion's nature
When indicated, removed tissue is sent for histological examination to clarify the diagnosis.
Methods comparison
Criterion
Conservative care
Topical therapy
Steroid injection (not performed in Almaty)
Surgical removal
Recent small nodule
Often appropriate
As indicated
Conditional
Usually not first step
Dense nodule persisting for weeks
Limited effect
Limited effect
May be considered
Often considered
Active suppuration / marked inflammation
Needs examination
Treat the cause as prescribed
Usually avoided until infection is excluded
Elective surgery depends on tissue status
Recurrence in the same location
Insufficient
Insufficient
Use caution, confirm diagnosis
Provides tissue for pathology
Tissue available for histology
No
No
No
Yes, if specimen is submitted
External scar
No
No
No
No external incision with transconjunctival access; a skin scar is possible with external access
Return to routine activity
No surgery
No surgery
Usually quick
Depends on swelling, access and healing
Main limitation
May not resolve a mature capsule
Does not replace removal of a dense nodule
Risk of skin depigmentation or atrophy and an incomplete response.
Swelling, bruising, infection, recurrence and other surgical risks
Conservative care
Recent small nodule
Dense nodule persisting for weeks
Active suppuration / marked inflammation
Recurrence in the same location
Tissue available for histology
External scar
Return to routine activity
Main limitation
Often appropriate
Limited effect
Needs examination
Insufficient
No
No
No surgery
May not resolve a mature capsule
As indicated
Limited effect
Treat the cause as prescribed
Insufficient
No
No
No surgery
Does not replace removal of a dense nodule
Conditional
May be considered
Usually avoided until infection is excluded
Use caution, confirm diagnosis
No
No
Usually quick
Risk of skin depigmentation or atrophy and an incomplete response.
Usually not first step
Often considered
Elective surgery depends on tissue status
Provides tissue for pathology
Yes, if specimen is submitted
No external incision with transconjunctival access; a skin scar is possible with external access
Depends on swelling, access and healing
Swelling, bruising, infection, recurrence and other surgical risks
Book an appointment
If an eyelid nodule persists, recurs or enlarges, book an appointment with an ophthalmologist or ophthalmic surgeon at KazRIED. The doctor will confirm that it is a chalazion, assess the eyelid and select observation, treatment of associated inflammation or removal.
Procedure prices
Service name
Price
Chalazion removal (per eye)
from 34 500 ₸
Adult ophthalmologist consultation (per consultation)
from 12 000 ₸
Repeat ophthalmologist consultation (per consultation)
from 5 900 ₸
Histological examination of surgical tissue (per eye)
from 21 000 ₸
Demodex test (both eyes; per test)
from 3 900 ₸
Our doctors
A team of experienced doctors across specialties.
Experience: 13 years
Ophthalmologist
Kalshabekov Alibi Sembaevich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 18 years
Head
Sultankulova Banu Tastemirovna
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 12 years
Ophthalmologist
Tadzhimetov Murat Mikhaylovich
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 17 years
Ophthalmologist
Tokymbaeva Zhenisgul Nurmankyzy
Highest-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 8 years
Ophthalmologist
Zhumakhanova Symbat Qymbatqyzy
First-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 6 years
Ophthalmologist
Qasymbekova Gulnaz Nurlanqyzy
Second-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 8 years
Ophthalmologist
Ondosinov Eldos Nurbekuly
Second-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 7 years
Ophthalmologist
Sukbay Akbota Darkhanovna
Second-category ophthalmologist
Experience: 10 years
Ophthalmologist
Abilova Gulstan Kunshygharqyzy
Experience: 5 years
Ophthalmologist
Salikhova Anel Batyrbekovna
Chalazion: treatment, removal, and recovery
A chalazion develops when the duct of a meibomian gland becomes blocked. Lipid secretions accumulate within the eyelid, triggering a chronic inflammatory reaction. The lump becomes firm and may persist for weeks or months.
Unlike a typical stye, a chalazion usually develops gradually and causes little or no pain outside an inflammatory flare-up.
Is surgery always necessary?
Not every chalazion requires surgical removal. Management depends on its duration, size, inflammation, recurrence, and whether its appearance is typical.
Early treatment may include eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and treatment of associated blepharitis or meibomitis.
Removal may be discussed if a firm lump persists despite treatment, recurs, or causes problems.
KazRIED officially describes a conventional surgical approach. The surgeon selects the technique and equipment; availability should be confirmed for the chosen location.
How is removal performed?
Before the procedure, the surgeon determines whether tests are needed, reviews medications, and selects local anesthesia. The treatment pathway may differ for children and patients with special medical circumstances.
The eyelid is anesthetized and stabilized. An incision is made through the conjunctiva or skin, and the contents and capsule are removed.
A small internal incision may not require an external stitch. Sutures and a dressing are applied when needed.
When is histological examination needed?
If the lesion recurs in the same location, looks unusual, or the diagnosis is uncertain, the removed tissue should be considered for pathological examination, including histology.
This does not automatically mean that a tumor is suspected, but helps safely exclude rare eyelid conditions.
Clinical situations and next steps
- A small lump has appeared recently: pain, pus, blepharitis, and changes in size are assessed. Conservative treatment may be recommended after examination.
- The lump has persisted for several weeks: capsule formation and the response to previous treatment are assessed. An ophthalmic surgical consultation may be needed.
- The chalazion has recurred in the same location: the appearance and any previous histology results are reviewed. The clinician may recommend pathological examination of the removed tissue.
- The eyelid suddenly becomes red and painful: urgent examination is needed to exclude an abscess, cellulitis, or another acute inflammatory condition. Do not apply heat or attempt to open it yourself.
- A child has a chalazion: a pediatric ophthalmologist assesses size, visual impact, examination tolerance, and anesthesia requirements before recommending monitoring or surgery.
- There are multiple lumps or frequent recurrences: blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, rosacea, and other contributing factors are assessed.
Recovery and reducing recurrence
After the procedure, the patient receives local care instructions and a follow-up date. Do not rub the eyelid or change prescribed medications independently while it heals.
Swelling, bruising, and temporary asymmetry may occur during the first few days. Their resolution varies between patients. Follow-up assesses healing and checks for infection.
Removal treats the existing lump but does not prevent every future chalazion. With ongoing blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, new lumps may develop nearby or elsewhere on the eyelid.
Following eyelid hygiene and treatment recommendations for the underlying condition remains important.
What should be considered when calculating costs?
The consultation, additional examinations, and histological analysis have separate fees.
Facts and offers
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
Kazakhstan’s first specialized ophthalmology institute, operating since 1933.
Modern diagnostics and surgery using world-class equipment.
Leading ophthalmologists in Kazakhstan, scientists and experienced surgeons.
More than 30,000 operations and around 270,000 consultations annually.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a chronic inflammatory eyelid nodule that usually develops when a meibomian gland becomes blocked and its secretions are retained. It is often firm and minimally painful, although active inflammation can cause redness, swelling and tenderness.
How is a chalazion different from a stye?
A stye usually develops acutely, is often painful and is associated with infectious inflammation of an eyelid gland. A chalazion generally develops more gradually because of gland obstruction and a chronic inflammatory reaction to retained secretions.
Does every chalazion need to be removed?
No. Small recent chalazia may improve spontaneously or with conservative care. Eyelid hygiene and warm compresses are commonly used first when no contraindication or alternative eyelid diagnosis is present.
When is surgical removal of a chalazion considered?
Surgery is usually considered when a chalazion persists, is large or symptomatic, affects vision, repeatedly recurs or fails to improve with conservative treatment. The decision follows eyelid examination.
Can a chalazion be treated with an injection instead of surgery?
In selected cases, intralesional corticosteroid injection may be considered as an alternative to surgical curettage. It is not appropriate for every patient and has its own risks, so selection depends on lesion size, location and characteristics.
Is chalazion removal painful?
The eyelid is anaesthetized before the procedure. With local anaesthesia, the injection is often the most uncomfortable step, after which pain sensation in the operative area is substantially reduced.
Where is the incision made for chalazion removal?
A transconjunctival incision through the inner eyelid surface is commonly used, allowing treatment without an external skin incision. A skin approach may be selected for certain lesion locations.
Are stitches needed after chalazion removal?
Sutures are often unnecessary after a small transconjunctival incision. A skin approach or more extensive procedure may require stitches.
Will chalazion removal leave a scar?
There is no external skin incision with a transconjunctival approach. If a skin incision is used, scar visibility depends on its location, surgical extent and individual healing.
How long does chalazion removal take?
There is no universal procedure time. Duration depends on chalazion size and location, the number of lesions, surgical approach, anaesthesia and procedural complexity.