Oculoplastic surgery · London
Chalazion and stye removal, by a specialist oculoplastic surgeon.
A day-case removal of stubborn eyelid lumps - triamcinolone injection or a small incision and curettage under local anaesthetic, done by a consultant oculoplastic surgeon, with biopsy in the same visit when the lump is atypical or recurrent.
Indicative pricing
What private chalazion and stye treatment costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send a photo of the lump and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A triamcinolone injection or I&C in our network: £280–£950, home the same hour.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial oculoplastic consultation and slit-lamp assessment | £180–£280 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Intralesional triamcinolone injection (per chalazion) | £280–£450 | 10 min | Same visit |
| Incision and curettage under local anaesthetic | £550–£950 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Dermatopathology (if specimen sent) | £280–£450 | n/a | 7–10 days |
| Bilateral or multiple chalazia (per additional lump) | £220–£380 | 10 min | Same visit |
| Follow-up review and dressing check | Included | 15 min | 2 weeks |
Prices vary by clinic, by surgeon, by whether one or multiple chalazia are treated, and by whether a specimen is sent for dermatopathology. We confirm a firm quote within one working day.
The journey
From photo to review - what happens, in order.
One team from first message to the two-week review, including histology when a specimen is sent.
- 01
Before
You send us a photo of the lid
A short, confidential form. A close-up photo of the lump, how long it has been there, any prior episodes, and what has been tried already.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether warm compresses and lid hygiene should be pushed further, or whether it is time for a slit-lamp assessment. Indicative price. An honest read either way.
- 03
Before
We arrange the consult
Usually within one to two weeks. Slit-lamp examination, meibography where relevant, and a same-visit plan for injection, incision and curettage, or watchful waiting.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival, consent and a chat with the surgeon. Local anaesthetic drops and a small subcutaneous injection of lidocaine with adrenaline. No sedation for adults.
- 05
On the day
The procedure itself
5 to 10 minutes. Either an intralesional triamcinolone injection, or a chalazion clamp, small incision on the tarsal conjunctival side, curettage of the gland contents. No suture.
- 06
On the day
Home the same hour
A firm pad and pressure for 20 minutes to settle any oozing, chloramphenicol ointment for a week, and home. You can drive yourself.
- 07
After
Review and histology if sent
A telephone review at two weeks. Histology in 7 to 10 days if the specimen was sent for dermatopathology. Prevention plan for meibomian gland disease if that is the driver.
When it helps
Chalazion, stye, and the lump you should always biopsy.
The lumps we see most, plus the features that mean a specimen goes to dermatopathology on the day.
-
Chalazion, painless firm nodule
A chronic sterile granulomatous inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland - firm, painless, sits in the tarsal plate, weeks to months old.
-
External stye (hordeolum externum)
An acute infection of a gland of Zeis or Moll at the lash line - red, tender, pointing outwards, usually staphylococcal.
-
Internal stye (hordeolum internum)
An acute infection of a meibomian gland - deeper, more painful, often precedes or evolves into a chalazion.
-
Recurrent chalazion at the same site
A repeated lump in the same place in an older patient - always biopsy to exclude sebaceous cell carcinoma, which masquerades as a benign chalazion.
-
Chalazion not resolving after 4–6 weeks
About 60% resolve with 4 to 6 weeks of warm compresses and massage - the persistent 40% are the ones we see for injection or surgery.
-
Visual axis distortion
A large upper-lid chalazion pressing on the cornea can induce astigmatism and blur - a good reason not to leave it and watch.
-
Meibomian gland dysfunction driving lumps
Rosacea, blepharitis and severe MGD produce crops of chalazia - the lump is the symptom, the gland disease is the target.
-
Red flag: atypical, ulcerated, madarosis
Ulcerated skin, loss of lashes, telangiectasia, yellow discolouration or induration - biopsy same day. Sebaceous carcinoma is missed for years when it is not.
Treatment options
Conservative, injection, surgery - and the prevention that stops the next one.
What each option involves, and which fits which lump. Chronic MGD drivers are treated at the same time.
-
Conservative regimen
Warm compresses ten minutes four times a day, lid hygiene wipes, and firm digital massage over the lump towards the lash line. Around 60% of chalazia resolve in 4 to 6 weeks.
-
Topical antibiotic
Fusidic acid or chloramphenicol ointment twice daily for a week - for a stye or an infected chalazion. Not for a chronic non-infected lump.
-
Oral doxycycline for recurrent MGD
Doxycycline 100 mg daily for 6 to 12 weeks in recurrent chalazia driven by meibomian gland dysfunction and rosacea - anti-inflammatory as much as antibacterial.
-
Intralesional triamcinolone
0.1 to 0.2 mL of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL injected directly into the chalazion. Around 80% resolution in one to two doses. Small risk of subcutaneous depigmentation, particularly in Fitzpatrick V to VI skin.
-
Incision and curettage (I&C)
A chalazion clamp stabilises the lid, a small vertical incision on the tarsal conjunctival side, the gland contents are curetted, and the wound is left open. No suture. 5 to 10 minutes under local anaesthetic.
-
Excisional biopsy
For recurrent, atypical or older-patient lumps, the whole lesion is excised and sent for dermatopathology to exclude sebaceous cell carcinoma and other rarer eyelid tumours.
-
LipiFlow and IPL for prevention
Thermal expression of the meibomian glands and intense pulsed light therapy reduce chalazion recurrence in patients with dominant MGD. Discussed at the same consultation.
-
Warm compresses done properly
A microwaved eye mask, not a flannel that cools in 30 seconds. Ten minutes, four times a day, followed by massage. Most patients under-do this and over-blame the lump.
Where we send patients
A small panel of London oculoplastic units.
Named consultant oculoplastic surgeons in units with proper lid clamps, dermatopathology on tap and MGD clinics for the patients who keep making chalazia.
-
Moorfields Private Eye Casualty
-
Cadogan Clinic Oculoplastics
-
HCA The Wellington Ophthalmology
-
London Medical
-
One Welbeck Eye Care
-
London Bridge Hospital Eye Service
Consultant oculoplastic surgeons with high chalazion and lid-lesion case volumes
Dedicated minor-op theatres with proper lid clamps, curettes and lighting
Same-visit dermatopathology pathways when a specimen needs to be sent
MGD clinics with LipiFlow, IPL and TearLab for the patients who keep making chalazia
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Chalazion surgery is a common, well-established minor procedure. The things worth planning are the local anaesthetic, the week of bruising, the makeup and lens holiday, and the prevention plan.
-
Local anaesthetic only
Lidocaine 2% with adrenaline, injected subcutaneously and subconjunctivally. You feel a sting and a pressure, then nothing. No sedation is needed for adults.
-
Bruising and swelling for a week
A firm pad for 20 minutes after the procedure limits bleeding. Expect a small bruise and swelling for 5 to 7 days. Ice packs for the first 24 hours help.
-
Depigmentation after triamcinolone
A small risk of subcutaneous fat atrophy or hypopigmentation at the injection site, more marked in Fitzpatrick V and VI skin. Discussed before you consent to the injection.
-
Recurrence at the same site
About 10 to 15% recur after I&C, usually because the underlying MGD has not been treated. The lump is the symptom, the gland disease is the target.
-
Sebaceous cell carcinoma - biopsy always if atypical
A recurrent same-site chalazion in a patient over 50, or an atypical lump at any age, should be excised and sent for dermatopathology. Sebaceous carcinoma is missed for years otherwise.
-
Chloramphenicol ointment for one week
A pea-sized amount to the lid margin four times daily for seven days after I&C. Simple wound care - no dressings, no sutures to remove.
-
Contact-lens holiday
No contact lenses for two weeks after I&C on the upper lid. Glasses only. Reduces the mechanical irritation of the healing conjunctival wound.
-
Eye makeup off for two weeks
Heavy mascara, kohl and eyeliner block meibomian glands and are common chalazion drivers. Off for two weeks after the procedure, and minimised long-term if the lumps keep coming.
-
Red flags after discharge
Increasing pain and swelling, discharge, fever, or reduced vision - call the clinic or attend Moorfields Private Eye Casualty the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your chalazion note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Lump type, site and duration
Chalazion or stye, upper or lower lid, which eye, how many weeks or months, and any prior episodes at the same site.
- 02 Technique
Injection or incision and curettage
Which treatment was used, dose of triamcinolone if injected, and whether a specimen was sent for dermatopathology.
- 03 Findings
Intraoperative findings and MGD status
Contents of the gland, meibography grade if done, blepharitis and rosacea status, and any atypical features that prompted a biopsy.
- 04 Impression
Prevention plan and review interval
Read this first: warm compress and lid hygiene regimen, whether LipiFlow or IPL is recommended, doxycycline dose if started, and when to be seen again.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for chalazion surgery varies by insurer, usually funded when medically indicated. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about chalazion and stye removal.
Quick answers on injection versus surgery, cost, biopsy, and stopping the next one coming.
-
What is the difference between a chalazion and a stye?
A chalazion is a chronic, sterile, granulomatous inflammation of a blocked meibomian gland - a firm painless nodule in the tarsal plate, weeks to months old. A stye (hordeolum) is an acute infection: external at the lash line (glands of Zeis or Moll), or internal in a meibomian gland. Styes are red, tender and short-lived. Chalazia are firm, quiet and stubborn.
-
Will my chalazion go away on its own?
About 60% of chalazia resolve within 4 to 6 weeks of proper warm compresses (ten minutes, four times a day), lid hygiene and firm digital massage. The persistent 40% are the ones we see for a triamcinolone injection or a small incision and curettage.
-
What does a chalazion injection involve?
A tiny volume, 0.1 to 0.2 mL, of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg/mL is injected directly into the chalazion under local anaesthetic drops. Around 80% resolve within two to four weeks, sometimes after a second dose. There is a small risk of subcutaneous fat atrophy or hypopigmentation at the site, more marked in darker skin.
-
How much does chalazion surgery cost privately in London?
An initial oculoplastic consultation is £180 to £280. A triamcinolone injection is £280 to £450. Incision and curettage under local anaesthetic is £550 to £950. Dermatopathology, when a specimen is sent, is another £280 to £450. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
-
When should a chalazion be biopsied?
Always if the lump is atypical (ulcerated, discoloured, has lost lashes, or has telangiectasia), and always if it is a recurrent same-site chalazion in a patient over 50. Sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid is uncommon but frequently missed because it hides as a benign chalazion for years.
-
Why do I keep getting chalazia?
Because the underlying meibomian gland dysfunction has not been treated. Blepharitis, rosacea and heavy eye makeup are the usual drivers. Daily warm compresses, lid hygiene, omega-3 supplementation, oral doxycycline for a course, and in-clinic LipiFlow or IPL will reduce recurrence far more than another round of surgery.
Ready when you are
Send us a photo of the lump. We come back within a working day.
One consultation, one plan - conservative, injection, incision and curettage, or biopsy - and a firm price across two or three options.
Related treatments and conditions
Looking for something else?
-
Blepharitis treatment
The lid margin disease that drives recurrent chalazia.
Learn more -
Dry eye clinic, IPL and LipiFlow
Thermal and light-based treatment of meibomian gland disease.
Learn more -
Pterygium surgery
Removal of a conjunctival growth over the cornea.
Learn more -
Eyelid lesion removal
Excision and biopsy of other benign and suspicious eyelid lumps.
Learn more -
Blepharitis (condition)
Chronic inflammation of the lid margins.
Learn more -
Dry eye syndrome (condition)
Meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye.
Learn more