What’s that lump or bump on my eye?

Have you ever had a lump or bump on your eyelid?  These little things can be quite bothersome.  Whether it is painful, irritating, or simply a cosmetic annoyance, an eyelid bump can be addressed by your eye care provider.

What Is a Stye?

A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is an infection of a gland on the eyelid.  Styes can be on the inside or outside of the eyelid, depending on which type of gland has become infected.  These red swollen bumps are classically painful and tender to touch, and the surrounding skin around the stye may also become red and inflamed.

How Do You Treat Lumps and Bumps?

While it may seem like you can simply “pop” the stye to get rid of it, this is not recommended.  Instead, visit an eye care professional for treatment. The approach your eye doctor takes in treating the stye typically depends on the severity of the bump.  Oftentimes, in cases of small styes, the doctor will recommend warm compresses and may prescribe an antibiotic drop to prevent further infection. If the stye is large or particularly painful, oral antibiotics might be required to eliminate the infection.  Either way, the stye typically resolves within a couple weeks and rarely leaves any permanent damage.

Checking Out Chalazion

A chalazion is similar to a stye, but is noninfectious and not painful.  Chalazia are caused by blocked glands as opposed to an active infection.  Again, these bumps can be either inside or outside of the eyelid, but they will not be tender to touch.  Styes and chalazion can be interrelated – one type of bump can lead to the other. Chalazia are more likely to resolve on their own.  Oftentimes, due to their painless nature, they require no treatment at all.  In more severe cases of larger chalazia, your eye doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or an injection to expedite the healing process.  While a chalazion is not typically a cause for concern, one should take note of a bump that reoccurs in the same location. A recurrent chalazion that persists after multiple treatments may be a sign of a more serious condition or underlying infection, and should be evaluated by a professional.