Cyst on eyelid....appt. this afternoon, quick replies appreciated

[Melly]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem. Have got a lump on my eyelid, it has gradually got a bit bigger over last three months. Not sure what it is I'm guessing a cyst or something. GP felt I should be seen by ophthalmologist. My dad had one years ago apparently. I hate going for hospital appts. and have got myself worked up into real state. I am wondering if anything will be done this afternoon, I decided to go privately as I couldn't bear the thought of waiting months on the NHS.
Anyone had this problem or know of anyone, just wondered what the procedure will be??
Quick replies appreciated as my appt. is at 2.30.
Thanks.

Hi Melly,

Not sure if I can be of much help but I had a lump on my upper eyelid about 3 years ago which flared up every so often and felt quite bruised. I think it was a blocked gland within the upper eyelid (Meiobiam gland not sure of spelling). It lasted for 2 years and just when I had given up and was going to make a doctors appointment I googled it and tried the self help methods suggested.

I applied a hot compress to the eyelid several times a day and massaged down to the eyelashes. It disappeared on it's own within a couple of months and I also noticed that my eyelashes got a little gunky in the process. I assume that the oil blockage just gets loosened and then the lump goes.

Does this sound similar? Hope the info helps and good luck with the specialist.

Just looked it up - it's Meibomian gland!

Thanks Blackberrycrumble. It does sound a bit like what I have and I do wear eyemake up especially liquid eyeliner along the top eyelash line, so maybe I have got a blockage. Yesterday it felt a bit sore especially if I rubbed the eyelashes. How bit was your lump? mine is quite noticeable now.

Melly, I had a stye years ago that ended up in a long lasting cyst like that. I saw an opthal. and no he didn't do anything straight away - other than give me antibiotics and made apt. for day surgery to remove it. It came right back, and in the end I had acupuncture in desperation - even though cynical - and voila: it went, never to return. Might have been coincidence, but who knows! Good luck this pm..

I had a lump on my eyelid in my teens. It was just benign fatty tissue and I had it removed under local anaesthetic at an outpatient clinic. It didn't take long, was basically painless and the lump never cme back.

I would imagine the first step (probably what they'll do today) is identify the probable cause (blockage or fatty lump or something else), then make an appointment for follow-up treatment.

The lump was noticeable to family - they all mentioned it (!!!) and told me to do something about it (what with kids, pregnancy and then new baby, it was always last on the list). No-one else noticed - I assume they were just being polite as it was a definite lump and when it was sore my eyelid was red and puffy.

I couldn't wear eye makeup as this aggravated it.

In terms of size, not sure but it was probably 3-4 mms across.

Thanks for all the replies. Off for the appointment soon, stomach churning, don't know why I'm getting so nervous.

My DD (aged 5) has a stye on her lower eye lid and a chlazion on the upper eye lid - both on the same eye. She has been on various courses of anti-biotics since our return from holiday at the beginning of September. Referred back to the eye hospital (she used to be seen regularly although her eye sight is fine) and have now got an appointment come through for Thursday 16th (next week) for her to have the eye drained (not sure if it is the chlazion or the stye, or possibly both).

I had four cysts as a child (top and bottom both eyes but not all at the same time). I had to have two removed, the other two went with topical treatment (can't remember what).

The removal was done v quickly (about 15 mins) in outpatients and I had to wear an eye patch til the cyst had drained (maybe two days). It was done under local anathetic and didn't require any staying overnight or anything - both times they offered to do it under general and I choose local.

They may well be able to fix it very soon but do make sure you get someone else to drive there!

How did it go, Melly?

The consultant took one look and said it was Meibomian or another name beginning with C. He said it was up to me whether I wanted it removed, but chances are if I don't it might disappear but then come back. So have opted to have it removed. Am going back to the eye infirmary next Monday, apparently it can be done as an out patient, local anaesthetic and then remove the cyst (sound horrid and I'm already nervous).

Thanks again for all the replies

Don't worry too much it isn't pleasant but mostly because you can half see whats going on, which is weird and it is over very quickly.

I was 10 and 11 when I had my eyelids done and I think it was worse for my mum than me as she had to hold my hand and watch but I got to wear a cool eye patch