A raised area, or bump, can definitively appear on the surface of the eye. These bumps are relatively common, arising from varied causes ranging from simple inflammation to benign tissue overgrowth. The white outer layer of the eye (sclera) and its covering (conjunctiva) are susceptible to various lesions and growths. While the vast majority of these masses are harmless, any sudden or persistent change warrants professional evaluation.
Growths on the Eye’s Surface
Growths that appear directly on the white of the eye typically involve the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the sclera. The two most frequent types are the pinguecula and the pterygium, both strongly linked to environmental exposure, particularly to ultraviolet (UV) light, wind, and dust.
A pinguecula presents as a yellowish, slightly raised patch that generally forms on the conjunctiva near the edge of the cornea, most often closer to the nose. This growth is composed of deposits of protein, fat, or calcium and is non-vascular, meaning it does not contain blood vessels. It rarely grows over the cornea and seldom affects vision unless it becomes inflamed, a condition known as pingueculitis.
The pterygium is a more progressive and potentially problematic growth, sometimes developing from a pre-existing pinguecula. This lesion is a fleshy, wedge-shaped tissue that contains noticeable blood vessels, giving it a pink or reddish appearance. Unlike the pinguecula, the pterygium begins on the conjunctiva and can grow across the cornea. If it advances far enough, this growth can physically distort the cornea’s shape, leading to astigmatism or directly obscuring the central visual axis, causing blurred vision.
These growths develop slowly in response to chronic irritation and damage. Though benign, their presence can cause symptoms like redness, a gritty sensation, and a foreign body feeling. Conjunctival cysts, small, clear fluid-filled sacs, are another type of surface growth that typically causes minimal discomfort unless they rub against the eyelid.
Common Lumps on the Eyelid
Many individuals who feel a bump “on the eyeball” are actually experiencing a lump originating from the eyelid, which is then felt or seen against the eye’s surface. The eyelid contains numerous glands that produce oil to lubricate the eye. Blockages or infections in these glands are the source of the most common eyelid bumps: the stye and the chalazion.
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a painful, acute infection of an oil gland or eyelash follicle, most frequently caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. It typically appears as a red, tender, pus-filled bump right at the edge of the eyelid near the lash line, much like a small abscess. The sudden onset of pain and localized swelling are hallmarks of a stye.
The chalazion is a bump that often evolves from a stye that has not fully drained or results from a chronic, non-infectious blockage of a meibomian oil gland deeper within the eyelid. Unlike a stye, a chalazion is generally painless, though it can become red and tender if secondarily infected. It feels like a firm, round lump and can grow larger than a stye, sometimes pressing against the eye and inducing temporarily blurred vision due to corneal distortion.
The key distinction is presentation: the stye is an acute, painful, and infectious process, while the chalazion is a chronic, usually painless, inflammatory reaction to trapped oil secretions. Both are related to the eye’s natural oil-production system. Conditions like blepharitis, which is chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins, can increase the risk of developing either a stye or a chalazion.
Recognizing Serious Symptoms and Treatment
Serious Symptoms
While most eye and eyelid bumps are self-limiting or easily treatable, certain symptoms necessitate immediate medical attention from an eye care professional. Any sudden, significant change in vision, such as new blurriness or double vision, must be evaluated promptly. Severe, worsening pain that does not respond to medication, or an inability to fully open the eye due to swelling, indicates a potentially serious issue. A bump that is rapidly increasing in size, changing shape, or beginning to bleed requires urgent examination to rule out more serious lesions. Systemic symptoms like a fever, or redness and swelling spreading onto the cheek or face, could signal a spreading infection.
Treatment Approaches
Treatment approaches are tailored to the specific type of bump. For styes and chalazia, initial management involves applying frequent warm compresses to encourage drainage of the blocked oil gland; topical antibiotics may be prescribed if a stye is actively infected. Persistent chalazia that do not resolve with home care may require an in-office corticosteroid injection or minor surgical removal. For pinguecula and pterygium, treatment begins with conservative measures like lubricating eye drops, using anti-inflammatory drops if the pinguecula becomes inflamed. A pterygium that is large, causes persistent discomfort, or threatens to impair vision is generally treated with surgical removal. Long-term prevention involves protecting the eyes from the sun and wind by consistently wearing UV-protective sunglasses.