How are Eyelid Bumps Treated?
If you’ve noticed an eyelid bump, it’s essential to have it checked by an optometrist. This is because various conditions could cause eyelid bumps, and your doctor is in the best position to diagnose and prescribe an appropriate course of treatment. Some eyelid bumps can be infected and require prescription medications to treat and others are due to inflammation and can be treated with a variety of over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Common Causes of Eyelid Bumps
Two of the most common conditions that cause bumps on eyelids are chalazion and hordeolum. A chalazion is a non-infectious inflammation of the oil glands on the external or internal skin of the eyelid. While a hordeolum occurs when the oil glands on the eyelid become infected by bacteria. While these two conditions are common, other factors such as a bug bite or an inclusion cyst can also cause a bump on the eyelid.
Chalazions
A chalazion bump on the eyelid is usually painless to the touch and may only cause discomfort due to the nodule it creates on the eyelid. Warm compresses and gentle massages with your fingers can help break up the oil-based material inside the bump and allow for complete resolution.
If complications develop, more advanced treatment options such as a steroid injection into the bump or incision may be necessary.
These procedures are commonly performed by optometrists in the office and may be done on the same day as an exam in many cases.
Hordeolums (ie: Styes)
A hordeolum is an active bacterial infection that can occur on either the external or internal side of the eyelid. It often causes significant pain and tenderness around the bump and eyelid swelling. This type of bump requires prompt medical attention to avoid complications such as a more severe infection of the entire eyelid.
Treatment options for a hordeolum include oral antibiotics prescribed by an optometrist, warm compresses, and good eyelid hygiene.
In most cases, a combination of prescription medications and additional measures are used to both treat the infection and the resulting inflammation and soreness of the eyelids.
Why You Should Consult Your Optometrist
Although chalazion and hordeolum are manageable conditions that can be resolved with the appropriate treatment, it’s always best to consult your optometrist if you notice a bump on your eyelid.
An optometrist will carry out a detailed evaluation of the bump and the surrounding eyelid area and assess the overall health of your eyes.
Understanding that these types of issues may also have an underlying cause or larger issue impacting the eyes, an optometrist can evaluate the entire health system and make any needed recommendations.
Complications from an Eyelid Bump
In most cases, a bump on the eyelid is an isolated issue – once treated, it resolves and there are no further issues.
However, if there is a severe infection in the eyelid, it can potentially spread to within the eye socket and infect other areas of the eye.
This is a severe condition and may require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and other advanced treatment.
Fortunately, this is a rare complication and is much less likely to occur with the proper treatment.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today to be evaluated for an eyelid bump. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun, provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
If you’ve noticed an eyelid bump, it’s essential to have it checked by an optometrist. This is because various conditions could cause eyelid bumps, and your doctor is in the best position to diagnose and prescribe an appropriate course of treatment. Some eyelid bumps can be infected and require prescription medications to treat and others are due to inflammation and can be treated with a variety of over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Common Causes of Eyelid Bumps
Two of the most common conditions that cause bumps on eyelids are chalazion and hordeolum. A chalazion is a non-infectious inflammation of the oil glands on the external or internal skin of the eyelid. While a hordeolum occurs when the oil glands on the eyelid become infected by bacteria. While these two conditions are common, other factors such as a bug bite or an inclusion cyst can also cause a bump on the eyelid.
Chalazions
A chalazion bump on the eyelid is usually painless to the touch and may only cause discomfort due to the nodule it creates on the eyelid. Warm compresses and gentle massages with your fingers can help break up the oil-based material inside the bump and allow for complete resolution.
If complications develop, more advanced treatment options such as a steroid injection into the bump or incision may be necessary.
These procedures are commonly performed by optometrists in the office and may be done on the same day as an exam in many cases.
Hordeolums (ie: Styes)
A hordeolum is an active bacterial infection that can occur on either the external or internal side of the eyelid. It often causes significant pain and tenderness around the bump and eyelid swelling. This type of bump requires prompt medical attention to avoid complications such as a more severe infection of the entire eyelid.
Treatment options for a hordeolum include oral antibiotics prescribed by an optometrist, warm compresses, and good eyelid hygiene.
In most cases, a combination of prescription medications and additional measures are used to both treat the infection and the resulting inflammation and soreness of the eyelids.
Why You Should Consult Your Optometrist
Although chalazion and hordeolum are manageable conditions that can be resolved with the appropriate treatment, it’s always best to consult your optometrist if you notice a bump on your eyelid.
An optometrist will carry out a detailed evaluation of the bump and the surrounding eyelid area and assess the overall health of your eyes.
Understanding that these types of issues may also have an underlying cause or larger issue impacting the eyes, an optometrist can evaluate the entire health system and make any needed recommendations.
Complications from an Eyelid Bump
In most cases, a bump on the eyelid is an isolated issue – once treated, it resolves and there are no further issues.
However, if there is a severe infection in the eyelid, it can potentially spread to within the eye socket and infect other areas of the eye.
This is a severe condition and may require hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and other advanced treatment.
Fortunately, this is a rare complication and is much less likely to occur with the proper treatment.