Eye Swelling/Bumps/Growths: Causes, Treatment

Do you have an Eye swelling, a bump or a growth on your eye? Are your eyes swollen or reddish? Here’s all you need to know about eye growths so you can identify, treat & prevent them. Although most eye swellings/bumps/growths are mild/harmless, some can indicate a more serious condition.

Table of Content

What is an Eye Swelling/Bump/Growth?

As the name implies, this is simply a swelling or growth on the Eye, especially around the eyelids.

What are the Conditions that cause an Eye Swelling/Bump/Growth?

Common eye bumps/growths include

  1. Blepharitis
  2. Pterygium
  3. Pinguecular
  4. Chalazion
  5. Stye
  6. Eye tumor (non cancerous/benign)
  7. Eye tumor (cancerous/malignant)

BLEPHARITIS

Its the inflammation of the eyelids. Eyelids are the folds of skin that cover your eyes and protect them from injury.

Causes of Blepharitis

Eyelash
mites/lice
Bacterial infection
Medication side effects
Malfunctioning eye gland
Wrong use of Comestics

Symptoms of Blepharitis

Red/swollen eye
Sandy sensation
Light sensitivity
Tears Crust on eyelashes

Eye swelling Blepharitis
All Images Credits: Vision Institute

Treatment of Blepharitis

Antibiotics eye drop/Ointment
Clean eyelids with warm water & towel

Prevention of Blepharitis

Wash your face regularly
Remove makeup before bed
Don’t touch/rub your eyes with dirty hands

PTERYGIUM

Usually seen as a pink/white growth on the white part of the eye moving towards the black part.

Eye swelling Pterygium

Causes of Pterygium

Sun exposure (UV LIGHT)

Symptoms of Pterygium

Sandy sensation
Itching
Tearing
Redness

Treatment of Pterygium

Surgery if vision is affected or lubricating eyedrops if it is not.

Prevention of Pterygium

Wear sunglasses
Read more about Pterygium here.

PINGUECULA

Its similar to pterygium, but it occurs only on the white eye and does not extend to the black part

Causes of Pingueculum

Environmental factors, such as climate, dust.
UV LIGHT from sun

Symptoms of Pingueculum

Sandy sensation
Itching
Tearing
Redness

Treatment of Pingueculum

Surgery (Rarely though)
Eyedrops

CHALAZION

It is a small painless, lump/growth on your eyelid

Causes of Chalazion

Blockage of Eyelid glands
Infection

Symptoms of Chalazion

Painless lump/swelling

Treatment of Chalazion

Do not squeeze/touch it
Apply a warm compress to your eyelid
Eyedrops

Prevention of Chalazion

Always wash your hands before touching your eyes

STYE

Its a red, painful pimple like bump on the eyelid

Causes of Stye

Infection(Staphylococcus etc)

Symptoms of Stye

Pain
Tears
Swollen eyelids
Redness
Light sensitivity

Treatment of Stye

Do not squeeze/rub eyes
warm compress
Antibiotics

Prevention of Stye

Wash eyelids daily
Remove makeup before bed

EYE TUMORS

A tumor is a collection of cells that grows abnormally, and it can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous)

EYE TUMORS (NON-CANCEROUS); Grow on the eyelid or within the wall of the eye.

Causes:
UV rays
Aging

Symptoms:
Redness
Poor vision

Treatment:
Surgery

EYE CANCER (malignant tumor): Grow on the eyelid or within the wall of the eye that’s has a possibility of spreading to other part of the body, like the skin, etc.

Causes
Changes (mutations) to DNA within cells

Risk Factors
Age: develops in people over the age of 50
Race: occurs more commonly in white people than in blacks.

Symptoms
Flashes of light
Poor/loss of visual
Floating objects

Treatments
Radiation therapy
Laser therapy
Surgery Treatment for eye cancer will aim to reduce the risk of spreading and to maintain the health and vision of your eye, if possible.

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Author

  • Dr. Okore Elem Nnamdi holds a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Abia State University, in Uturu, Abia State Nigeria, where he graduated as a Valedictorian. Dr. Okore, currently works as a Lecturer in the department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Abia State University, ABSU. He is a seasoned speaker, an eye health educator and he loves to research.

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