What To Do If Tiny Bumps Form After Eyelid Surgery

Tiny bumps the size of a grain of rice can occur along the incision during the healing process after eyelid surgery. This is a normal. It’s due to fibrosis or focal swelling after any surgery, since eyelid skin is quite thin, the lumps are easily seen and felt.

The most common reason for these small lumps may be due to lymphatic fluid retention or a small amount of scar tissue. The scar tissue in the immediate post-operative period is usually raised and feels firm.

All blepharoplasty and eyelid surgery scars get worse before they get better.

The scar will mature and soften over 3-4 months. Normally no intervention is required.

Scars usually respond well to routine scar treatment like moisturising creams and silicone gel. Sometimes a small dose of cortisone injected into the scar may be used to help break up the small, hard lumps.

A suture reaction is when the body develops a wall of scar around a retained stitch, particularly around the knot.

It is possible that a lump or granuloma may form as a reaction to suture material used in eyelid surgery.

When deep sutures are used to anchor eyelid tissues to the bone (periosteum), often a lump is formed. This is commonly seen following lower eyelid surgery.

If you had a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with the incision made inside of the eyelid, it’s possible that the lump is a reaction to the ointment that was placed on your eye during surgery.

The treatment for this is relatively simple and requires surgical excision. It can be done in a plastic surgeon’s practice with minimal to no pain.

It’s possible that the lump could be:

A fluid-filled cyst (a seroma) or a hematoma (a collection

of blood):

This will resolve on its own with time.

That’s if you had fat injected at the same time of the procedure.

A fat nodule:

This can sometimes develop after manipulation of the eyelid during surgery. An

ophthalmologist is equipped to remove the stye.

A small chalazion or stye:

This is uncommon but a possibility. If the lump is red, painful and not resolving, it could be a

small localised infection or abscess along your incision. It should respond to treatment with

warm soaks and antibiotics. If it doesn’t, a small part of the incision may need to be opened to

allow the area to drain and heal.

A bacterial infection:

Given the various possible explanations for a hard lump appearing after eyelid surgery, it’s important to follow up with your surgeon to determine what type of lump it actually is and the best course of action.

Never try to diagnose and treat yourself as you could put yourself at risk in doing further damage.

Do you have any questions about eyelid surgery but are not yet

ready to commit to a one-on-one consultation?

I invite you to join me for a free information evening where you can ask me your questions in an intimate and friendly group setting. Click on the button below to learn more about the evening and to reserve your seat.

Dr Naveen Somia MBBS, PhD, FRACS+61 2 9387 2110

www.naveensomia.com.au

Visit my blogwww.naveensomia.com.au/myblog

Follow me