Chalazion and stye (hordeolum)

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Chalazia are enlargements of an oil gland (similar to a pimple) deep in the eyelid caused by an obstruction of the gland’s opening. Styes are usually infected eyelash follicles.
A chalazion is inflamed but not infected. A stye is usually caused by a staphylococcal infection. Sometimes the person also has blepharitis (inflammation of the edges of the eyelids). Some people may have one or two styes in a lifetime, but other people develop them repeatedly. Rarely, a stye (hordeolum) develops in one of the deeper glands of the eyelid (an internal stye).