Eyelid lesions are very common, but thankfully, most eyelid lesions are not serious. They include hordeola, chalazia, xanthelesma etc. But there are also serious eye lid lesions like cancer.

●A hordeolum (stye) is an abscess of the eyelid that presents with localized pain, erythema, and edema. Most hordeola resolve spontaneously over several days and do not require specific intervention. They can be managed with warm compresses and massage in order to facilitate drainage.

●A chalazion is a painless nodule caused by obstruction of the eyelid glands. It present with localized eyelid swelling and examination of the inner eyelid reveals a nontender rubbery nodule. Small chalazia often resolve without intervention over days to weeks. For larger lesions, draining can be facilitated by using warm compresses.

●Xanthelasma are cholesterol-filled, soft, yellow plaques that usually appear on the medial aspects of the eyelids. They most often occur in middle-aged and older adults. Xanthelasma are often associated with hypercholesterolemia, and thus we suggest obtaining a lipid profile if the patient has not already undergone screening.

●Other common eyelid lesions include molluscum contagiosum, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratosis, squamous papilloma, benign nevi (moles) and milia.

●Less common benign lesions of the eyelid include epidermal inclusion cyst, dermoid cyst, port wine stain (nevus flammeus), and infantile hemangioma.

●Malignant lesions that can occur on the eyelid include cutaneous horn (this lesion is not malignant per se but it typically overlies a malignancy), basal cell carcinoma (picture 18), squamous cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, sebaceous carcinoma, melanoma , and Kaposi sarcoma.

If you have an eye lid lesion, please see Dr.Paul for a careful evaluation. You can walk in or call us for an appointment. Our phone number is 814 424 2095.