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Original poster

Eyelid glands

24 replies

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 20:45

Im feeling pretty stuck and helpless at the minute. Over the last few years the glands in my eyelids have got bigger and bigger, you can visibly see the lumps which people ask about n it really gets me down. Iv seen my gp around a year ago n they said it's just swollen glands their fine , Iv recently tried again because they have got bigger, I had to send a photo to the doctor and got refused a appointment as they said my eyes are fine, there not fine, they are fat and heavy. Iv read about lacrimal glands but I don't no who to turn to for help in treating this. Really hope someone on here can help :(

OP posts:

MrsHugget · 27/03/2022 20:47

Can you try an optician instead?

underneaththeash · 27/03/2022 20:49

Can you post a picture OP?

Purpleavocado · 27/03/2022 20:53

My optician recommended a heated eye mask for dry eyes/blocked tear ducts. You heat it in the microwave, relax with it for 5 minutes then message your eyes, do it twice a day. You can buy them on Amazon

TheCanyon · 27/03/2022 20:55

Dr Hilary does a heated eye mask, think it's called eye dr. I've got one for dry eyes, blocked glands and blepharitis and it really helps.

Cuddlywaterfall · 27/03/2022 20:55

You need to see an eye specialist. Try your local optician for a start. You will need the optometrist rather than someone who just flogs specs though . I'm not sure if it's possible to self refer to somewhere like Moorfields Eye Hospital but worth looking into.

Original poster

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 20:57

They don't look bad in photos which is why the doctor probably said they are ok but they are so noticeable in real life, I did think about a optician but wasn't sure if they covered this kind of thing.

OP posts:

LakeFlyPie · 27/03/2022 20:58

If it's the meibomian glands heat (eye masks mentioned above) help and my optometrist recommended fish oil supplements too

Original poster

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 21:07

@Marley040783

@underneaththeash

OP posts:

LemonViolet · 27/03/2022 21:10

They’re meimobian glands, OP, they produce an oily secretion. They’re blocked with dried out/solidified fatty stuff. That is why heat/ warm compress/heated eye mask helps - it melts the blocked stuff back to more liquid oil so it can be gently expressed out with massage of your eyelids.
www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/for-patients/eye-conditions/meibomian-gland-dysfunction

Original poster

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 21:12

@LemonViolet thank you. I will try this. Thank you everyone x

OP posts:

LemonViolet · 27/03/2022 21:16

Sorry MEIBOMIAN glands. I can never say it correctly either. Always sounds like you have a cold.

Hope90x · 27/03/2022 21:22

My aunt suffers from this op and as PPs have said she uses a heat mask and gently massages / pushes the oil out.

She was also referred to a specialist eye clinic who prescribed some drops and gels. They don't cure it as such, it's more to relieve the irritation.

Budapestdreams · 27/03/2022 21:31

The meibomian glands are along the edge of the eyelids, near your eyelashes. The swellings you have look like they are exactly where the lacrimal glands are.
I think you should ask your GP for a referral to an opthalmologist. If you think they will refuse, I agree with pp, you should see your own optometrist. They may not know what it is but if they wrote to your GP asking them to refer you to an ophthalmologist, it's very hard for the GP to refuse.

TooManyPJs · 27/03/2022 21:31

[quote LemonViolet]They’re meimobian glands, OP, they produce an oily secretion. They’re blocked with dried out/solidified fatty stuff. That is why heat/ warm compress/heated eye mask helps - it melts the blocked stuff back to more liquid oil so it can be gently expressed out with massage of your eyelids.
www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/for-patients/eye-conditions/meibomian-gland-dysfunction[/quote]
Can you get these in the inside of your eyelid (ie towards the nose). I have really similar swellings on the inside of my eyelid which I thought were related to an underactive thyroid but they haven't gone away with optimal medication.

I've had meibomian cyst before but these were under my eyelid, couldn't be seen but were very sore.

I can't feel anything with these swellings at all. Just saw these pics and thought wow these look exactly like mine but in a slightly different place. Mine also look like the skin is a bit whiter than the surrounding skin. But I have very fair thin and translucent skin generally.

Thanks!

Budapestdreams · 27/03/2022 21:34

I want to add that they could be meibomian cysts but to have symmetrical cysts on each eye seems unusual to me. Good luck.

Original poster

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 21:36

@Budapestdreams thank you, I will try again in the morning and ask for a referral rather then for the gp to see me,

OP posts:

underneaththeash · 27/03/2022 21:52

OP they are not meibomian gland blockages - which in effect - end up being chalazia. I'm not entirely sure what they are - but I'll do some research. However, it's very unlikely that bilateral swelling is due to a tumour or anything neoplastic.

They are near your lacrimal glands though - are you having any symptoms of dry eye; they tend to be things likes grittyness, irritation, watering and redness.

Have you had any cosmetic eye fillers? I can see you've had a piercing near one, did you have one in the other eye and how long have you had it out (and did you remove before or after the swelling).

Your actual eye lid looks a bit thickened as well - any eczema? Are you putting any cream on your lids?

And finally any other health conditions? Have you been unwell recently. Tears contain a lot immune mediators.

underneaththeash · 27/03/2022 21:53

bilateral means both eyes.

Original poster

Marley040783 · 27/03/2022 22:16

@underneaththeash I had my eyebrow done late teens, it's been out a good 20yrs, it grew out very quickly n was never replaced. My eyes along my lash lines have become extremely itchy, constant feel like I have something in my eyes, I did wonder if it was connected to the glands but the glands have been growing for a couple of years now so I'm not sure, my eyes are very puffy from all the itching I'm doing. I maybe cry a good couple of times a week. (4yr old testing boundaries at the min)

OP posts:

Alocasia · 27/03/2022 22:21

See an optician. They won’t be able to treat this but will be able to refer you on to ophthalmology to see a specialist who can diagnose and help. These aren’t meibomiam glands, more likely something to do with the lacrimal (tear) glands

beautifullymad · 27/03/2022 23:04

@Purpleavocado

This works.

This was recommended to me too, along with tear replacing eye drops x10 times a day.

It took six months but I have it under control now.

underneaththeash · 29/03/2022 22:08

Definitely go to an optician, possibly you just have very small puncta in your upper lid (they're the drainage ducts for the tears) and rubbing has changed them in some way - possibly you do have blepharitis too and that has contributed, either through blockaging them or causing dry eye which makes you rub your eye more.

There's also the chance that it's caused by your immune system overacting - but if you're not feeling unwell or have any other health issues that's less likelty

Original poster

Marley040783 · 29/03/2022 22:35

@underneaththeash thank you. I did call GP today and as usual waited for the call back that never came. I'm off work tomorrow so will go to a opticians and hopefully get somewhere down that route. Really appreciate yours and everyone's time and advice, wasn't expecting any at all so thank you ☺️

OP posts:

Aybid11 · 30/04/2025 15:21

Hi OP, did you get any answers to this? I have something similar but in one eye.

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