rapid onset of bluriness/myopia

[openner]

I am a 24-year old male and have had excellent vision all my life (never had an eye exam done).  Several weeks ago my right eyelid got inflamed and swollen (it was painful for a few days), then the inflammation subsided and what appears to be a chalazion has grown in the eyelid.  Apparently this is quite common.  It is not painful and was not worrying me at first.  Then I started noticing that it was getting increasingly hard to make out text, especially on a computer screen, out of my right eye.  It seems to be getting worse day by day.  It is not 'severe' by any means, but it is definitely very noticeable now and causes some strain when trying to read computer text for a longer duration.  Got it checked by a general MD and she said the chalazion is small, and likely wasn't affecting the eye.  Went to an optometrist after that, and she took a good look at the eye/eyelid and 'confirmed' that the chalazion is not big enough to be affecting my vision.  Took a quick look at some eye charts and definitely noticed below-normal performance in the right eye; significantly better (but not perfect) performance in the left eye.  The optometrist said it is common for men in their 20s to get myopia, especially since my dad and my brother both have fairly serious myopia.

I am wondering if it is alarming that this appears to have set in in a matter of weeks, and whether it is indeed reasonable that the perceived change in vision just happened to coincide with the growth of this chalazion.  Of course it is possible that I only noticed the vision change due to the increased paranoia about the chalazion, and that in fact it had been setting in more slowly and earlier (though I doubt this because it is very noticeable).  In any case, how quickly can simple myopia set in in someone in their 20s?  Is it possible that this is a transient symptom?  I did also have a significant cold/congestion for several weeks before the chalazion started.  Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  I am worried about my vision.

I have no medical conditions, and have been working primarily on a computer for a number of years already.

Regards,

Osmar

[Ray T Oyakawa, MD]

The myopia is not related to the chalazion.  Myopia can start at any age.

Dr. O.