Eyelid Cyst

Eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of human body, and even a slight irritation or infection can lead to several eye disorders. Eyelid cyst is such a disorder, which is most often caused by an inflammation of the oil glands of the eyelid, which are known as Meibomian glands. The Meibomian glands are responsible for producing an oily film over the tear, which prevents its evaporation and hence, keeps the eyes moist and lubricates the eyelid. An inflammation and blockage of these oil glands can cause the development of a cyst on the upper or lower eyelid, which is generally known as chalazion or Meibomian cyst.

Causes

Blockage and consequent inflammation of the Meibomian glands is the main cause of chalazion, while the other common type of eyelid cyst, i.e. stye is caused by bacterial infection of the sebaceous glands of the eye. The bacteria that is most commonly responsible for causing such an infection is staph bacteria. Apart from staph infection, individuals with chronic blepharitis also have an increased risk of developing a stye or cyst on the eyelid. Other contributory factors for the development of cyst on the eyelid are lack of proper hygiene, blockage of eye duct, excessive use of eye makeup or leaving eye makeup overnight, and rubbing the eyes vigorously with unclean hands.

Symptoms

Eyelid cysts often present the following symptoms:

• Lumps on the eyelid
• Eyelid swelling
• Redness and tenderness in the affected area
• Eye discharge
• Increased tearing
• Eye crust
• Itching and pain in the affected area
• Increased sensitivity to light

Treatment

Usually such a cyst subsides on its own within a few days, without medical intervention. Many times, it also responds to a warm compress. Application of a warm compress speeds up the healing process by increasing blood circulation to the affected area and unblocking a clogged pore which will drain out the cyst and help the eyelid heal faster. However, if the cyst is accompanied by severe swelling and persists for a long time, then appropriate medications would be required for effective treatment. Generally, physicians prescribe antibiotic eye drops and ointments for curing the cyst. If the condition does not respond to these medications, then the use of corticosteroid injections are considered. Corticosteroid injection proves to be effective in clearing up the cysts within a week or so. However, it can cause hypopigmentation at times.

If the eyelid cyst is quite large and does not go away even with steroid injections, then physicians are left with the option of surgery for removing the cyst. Surgical removal is carried out after the treatment of local anesthesia to that particular area. Then an incision is made to drain and scrape out the cyst. This is usually the last option for eyelid treatment, which is performed if all the other options fail to resolve the condition.

Cysts that are small in size usually disappear on their own, and do not give rise to any major complication. But a large cyst can press against the cornea, which can lead to astigmatism at times. Though usually benign, recurring eyelid cysts, especially chalazia, can have an association with some major disease. So be sure to consult an ophthalmologist if the cysts persist for several days, if they are recurrent in nature, or continue to get bigger with time and are accompanied by loss of eyelashes. At the same time, take adequate eye care, and avoid rubbing or touching your eyes, especially with a dirty hand. Never prick or squeeze the cyst. Maintain personal hygiene, frequently wash your eyes with a mild baby shampoo and lukewarm water, and do not use eye makeup which ensures that the eye remains free from any chemicals which may aggravate the condition.