What is an eyelid cyst?
An eyelid cyst is usually a painless lump or swelling either on the upper or lower eyelid. It is caused by a blockage in one of the glands that supplies fluid to lubricate the edge of the eyelid. This type of cyst is called a chalazion.
Eyelid cysts are usually removed by having a minor operation under local anaesthesia. This means you will be awake during the procedure but the area will be numb and you will feel no pain.
The operation is routinely performed as a day case, requiring no overnight stay. Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of having an eyelid cyst removed, and will also discuss any alternatives to the treatment.
About the operation
Your surgeon will inject a local anaesthetic into the eyelid tissue. This will feel like a sharp sensation, which passes quickly.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will carefully turn the eyelid inside out and place a small instrument over the cyst area to hold it secure. The cyst is then cut and scraped away. The wound is washed with salt (saline) solution. You rarely need stitches, but if you do then dissolvable stitches will be used.
Once the operation is over, antibiotic ointment will be applied to the wound and then your eye will be covered with a protective pad to keep the it shut. You can remove the eye pad after two hours, or leave it on overnight if that feels more comfortable.
The operation usually takes about 20 minutes and the cyst may be sent to a laboratory for examination.
Afterwards, you may have a sore eyelid and it’s possible that the eyelid or the area around your eye will be bruised and swollen. This should settle over a few days.
Surgery to remove a chalazion is a commonly performed and generally safe procedure. For most people, the benefits are greater than any disadvantages. However all surgery carries an element of risk.
Specific complications of minor eye surgery are uncommon. As blood vessels around the eye are quite fragile, it’s possible to have some bleeding just beneath the surface of your eye. This will show up as a bright blood spot in the white of your eye. This should not affect your eyesight and should clear over a few weeks.
There is a risk the eyelid cyst will re-occur, requiring further surgery.
The chance of complications depends on the exact type of operation you are having and other factors such as your general health. Ask your surgeon to explain how any risks apply to you.
To find out more about having eyelid cyst removal in a Spire Healthcare hospital, please call our treatment enquiry team on 0800 434 6600.
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