Summary
Most lumps on the eyelid are benign: a blocked oil gland (chalazion), an infected lash follicle (stye), or a benign cyst of skin or hair origin. They are uncomfortable, sometimes unsightly, and can press on the cornea and blur vision. Surgical management, when needed, is quick and effective.
Who is this for?
I commonly see:
- a chalazion that has not resolved with warm compresses and lid hygiene after 4–6 weeks,
- a recurrent stye or chalazion at the same lid position,
- an enlarging or pigmented lesion of uncertain nature (referred urgently to exclude eyelid skin cancer).
What the procedure involves
For a typical chalazion, incision and curettage is performed under local anaesthetic through the inner surface of the eyelid (so there is no skin scar). For a benign cyst on the skin, excision biopsy is performed through a small incision aligned with the natural skin lines.
Most procedures take 10–20 minutes and are performed as a day case. The lump is sent for histology to confirm the diagnosis.
Recovery and what to expect
- Mild bruising and swelling for a few days.
- Antibiotic ointment three times a day for a week.
- A small dressing is rarely needed.
- Most patients return to normal activities the next day.
Risks and alternatives
Risks include bleeding, recurrence, mild scarring and infection. The main ‘alternative’ is patience and warm compresses, perfectly reasonable for many small chalazia, which often self-resolve.
Any lesion at all suspicious for malignancy is biopsied or referred urgently; see eyelid skin cancer.