Many non-inflammatory benign lumps and cysts may occur around the eyelids. All are typically slow-growing, persistent, painless and do not damage adjacent tissues. Many derive from the local structures of the lids ie skin (papilloma, seborrhoeic keratosis), sweat glands (cyst of Moll, benign tumour), sebaceous glands (cyst of Zeis, sebaceous cyst, chalazion, milia), pigment cells (melanocytic naevus), hair follicles (benign tumour), blood vessels (vascular naevus). Molluscum infection also produces a non-inflammed lump though there may be associated conjunctivitis.
Inflammatory lumps are often from the Meibomian glands within the lid (chalazion/Meibomian cyst), or eyelash (stye).
Deposits within the skin include xanthelasmata.
Clinical Features
Variable, see photos
Management
Need to distinguish from malignant tumours. If any doubt or cosmetically unsightly see ophthalmologist.
Many can be left or simply incised. If any doubt exists removal for histological microscopic examination is required.
