Which statement accurately describes chalazion?

• A. Chalazion is typically painful and acute.
• B. Chalazion usually drains spontaneously within 24 hours.
• C. Chalazion is usually painless and slow-growing.
• D. Chalazion is always associated with fever.

Answer: (C)

Chalazion is a chronic, noninfectious obstruction of a meibomian gland that leads to a lipogranulomatous inflammatory nodule in the eyelid. This tends to present as a firm, painless lump that grows slowly over weeks to months, often without redness or significant tenderness. Because it is not an acute infection, fever is not part of the picture and the lesion does not drain spontaneously within 24 hours. Management centers on lid hygiene and warm compresses to encourage drainage, with further treatment (such as incision and curettage or intralesional steroids) considered for persistent cases, and addressing underlying blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction. In contrast, a painful, acute eyelid swelling at the lid margin would suggest a stye, which is an infectious process rather than a chronic, noninfectious chalazion.