What are eyelid lumps?

Eyelid lumps can take different forms. There are a number of different types of eyelid lumps, which have varying causes. Examples include:

• Stye
• Chalazion (plural: chalazia)
• Insect bite
• Swelling due to injury/after an operation
• Chickenpox or shingles
• Mole
• Freckle
• Xanthelasma

What are the symptoms of eyelid lumps?

Styes are small, painful lumps on the edge of the eyelid. They may be red and swollen due to infection, and are filled with yellow pus, like a pimple. They may cause your eye to water and become red, but should not impair the vision.
 

Chalazia are usually hard, tender lumps on the eyelid that can vary in size and location on the eyelid. The eyelid often feels heavy and the patient may experience increased tearing. Blisters or scabs, accompanied by a rash on the body is usually indicative of shingles or chickenpox.

What does it mean if I have an eyelid lump?

Different types of eyelid lumps have different causes:

• Styes are caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid.
• A chalazion occurs when oil glands in the eyelid become blocked due to inflammation (blepharitis).
• Darker patches that appear to be moles or freckles should be checked out if they change size, shape, or colour, as they can sometimes be cancerous.

Do eyelid lumps go away?

Lumps on the eyelids are relatively common, and most go away by themselves in a matter of days or weeks. 

Is an eyelid lump serious?

They can be. Visit your doctor immediately if you notice that the lump is an unusual colour, or seems to be changing shape or colour. Also, if you have a stye or chalazion that's large or painful and doesn't go away, your doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics.

What's the difference between a stye and chalazion? 

Usually, styes are infected eyelash follicles, meaning that the edges of the eyelids are inflamed. Whereas a chalazion is caused by an obstruction of the eyelid's oil gland means that it becomes enlarged, with the problem occurring deep in the eye lid.

Can eyelid lumps be prevented?

The risk of developing styes and chalazia can be reduced by maintaining good eyelid hygiene. This can be achieved by cleaning the edges of the eyelid daily with a warm, moistened flannel or cotton bud.

How are eyelid lumps treated?

The majority of lumps, including styes, chalazions, and insect bites, clear up by themselves within a few weeks. Warm compresses and keeping the eyelid clean can help this process. One self-treatment recommended for styes is to soak a flannel in warm water and hold it against the eye for five to 10 minutes and repeat this process several times a day.

In cases of severe bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor. Large, persistent eye lumps may have to be drained surgically under local anaesthetic. Similarly, if the lump is identified as skin cancer, surgical treatment may be necessary.

Which type of specialist treats eyelid lumps?

Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat the majority of conditions affecting the eyes and eyelids. If the cause of the lump turns out to be cancerous or a condition that affects other parts of the body, other specialists may be involved in treating the condition.