Opthalmology

Eyelid Cyst

What is an Eyelid Cyst?

A cyst is a lump that is filled with some sort of liquid material enclosed in a surrounding bag. There are watery fluid types of cysts (which appear clear or skin coloured) or oily fluid types of cysts (which appear more white in colour).

The word lesion covers any other type of growth such as fatty growths, warty growths or skin tags.

What causes Eyelid Cysts?

Sometimes there are no obvious reasons for the cysts or lesions occurring but some lesions may be caused by high cholesterol levels or by viruses.

The exact cause, if any, of your condition will be explained to you by the nurse that sees you.

How are Eyelid Cysts treated?

Most eyelid cysts and lesions are harmless and therefore do not have to be treated unless they are causing you concern.

Most are also quite small in size but because they are located on the face they can be quite noticeable and if this troubles you then they can be removed by a very simple straightforward operation.

What does surgery involve?

The operation is performed under a local anaesthetic, which means that you would be awake during the operation. An injection would be given to numb the eyelid.

Once the eyelid is numb you should not feel any pain or discomfort, however, you will still feel some touching or pulling sensations.

Most cysts are removed by making a small cut on the skin and then gradually exposing the cyst before it can be removed intact. Some of the cysts are very delicate and can burst before they are removed and if this happens then as much of the cyst remains as possible are removed. The skin edges can then be brought back together with stitches.

Removing other lesions can be a similar process to the one detailed above but for some of them it is a simple matter of numbing the eyelid and then just cutting off the lesion at the base. Heat treatment (cautery) is then used to stop any bleeding and, if relevant, to try to reduce any virus in the area.

Most of the time you do not need to have an eye pad on following surgery but occasionally, if there is more bleeding than anticipated, you may be asked to wear an eye pad for an hour or two.

Local anaesthetic

It is important that you know what to expect when the local anaesthetic is first given.

You will feel a sharp sensation, usually followed by a stinging or burning feeling, which lasts about 5 seconds until the eyelid begins to go numb.

It is very important that you keep your head still whilst the local anaesthetic injection is being given.

Reoccurrence

The operation is relatively simple to perform and usually gives a good result. Unfortunately some people do experience a recurrence of the cysts or lesions.

Infection

The eyelids usually heal very well and it is unusual to have problems with infection following surgery. However to reduce the chances further antibiotic ointment may be used immediately.

Bruising

You need to be prepared that the eyelid will look worse immediately after surgery before it looks better. It is normal to get some bruising and slight swelling but this should settle on its own in about a week.

Scarring and skin colour changes

If you have had any stitches in the skin around your eyelid you do need to know that long term you may have a small scar, dimple or pucker in the skin where they were.

The skin around the eyelids heals very well but there is the chance that you may have a slight change in skin colouring if cautery has been used.

If this does happen it is still usually less noticeable than the original problem but if this is of a concern to you please discuss it in more detail with the surgeon during consultation.

Possible complications

All operations have risks attached to them, which will be discussed with the you before surgery, however any surgical procedure can result in complications:

Pain

Bleeding

Infection of the surgical site (wound)

Scarring

Wound breakdown (skin fails to heal)

Recurence