This is a fairly common condition and is caused by a blockage in one of the small glands in the lid. Although it is unsightly, it is easy to treat and should not cause your child any major problems with their vision.

As a first step in treatment, your child will be prescribed antibiotics to reduce the inflammation in the eyelid. Heat treatment with hot compresses can also help and may actually release the contents of the cyst which means that further intervention is not needed.

If it has not resolved on this treatment, it can be removed surgically. Your child's name will be put on the minor operations waiting list and you will be given a date to come in for the procedure.
 

Treatment

You will be asked bring your child to Coombe Ward as a day case. The cyst will be removed under general anaesthetic.

The cyst is removed from the inside of the eyelid - no stitches are necessary, and no scar will be visible. Antibiotic ointment will then be applied, followed by an eye pad.   The operation itself only takes a few minutes.

The pad may be removed after 2 hours, or left overnight for comfort, if felt necessary.  You may be given ointment to use in the eye for 3-4 subsequent days.  Often the lid is bruised following the procedure - do not worry, this is normal and will resolve within 1-2 weeks.  Once your child is awake, eating and drinking and has been up to the toilet, you will be able to go home.

Some children are prone to getting these lumps again. You can help prevent them from re-occurring by using hot compresses on the lids and massaging them in the morning.