Chalazia can be quite large and can cause visual disturbance by deforming the cornea. Generalized cellulitis of the eyelid may occur if an internal hordeolum is untreated. Most morbidity is secondary to improper drainage. Proper technique and drainage precautions are described in Treatment . No sexual predilection exists.
Patients usually complain of a localized painful swelling on one eyelid.
In some cases, the complaint may start as a generalized edema and erythema of the lid that later becomes localized. A history of similar problems is common. Constitutional signs and symptoms are inconsistent with a hordeolum diagnosis. In extreme cases, the infection can spread to involve the entire lid and even the periorbital tissues. Such cases do not respond to normal hordeolum management and must be managed as periorbital cellulitis.