Concerned about a bump near the eye corner, a wart on the eyelid, or an eyelid papilloma? Our specialists evaluate and treat both common and complex eyelid lesions.
An eyelid lesion is a general term for an abnormal area of tissue on or around the eyelid. This may look like a bump on the eyelid, a small growth on the lash line, a mole on the eyelid, a white spot on the eyelid rim, a cyst under the skin, a wart-like growth, or a dark spot near the eye.
Eyelid lesions can appear on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, inner corner of the eye, outer corner of the eye, waterline, or directly along the eyelash margin. Some are raised and skin-colored. Others are red, brown, black, white, smooth, rough, crusted, or scabbed.
Several types of eyelid growths and bumps can develop. Some are inflammatory or cystic, while others are skin growths or tumors.
Eyelid Papilloma
An eyelid papilloma is one of the more common benign eyelid growths. It often appears as a small, skin-colored or slightly raised growth on the eyelid. Some papillomas are smooth, while others have a rough or wart-like texture. They may develop along the eyelid margin or on the skin of the upper or lower eyelid.
Although eyelid papillomas are usually benign, they can become bothersome if they grow, catch on makeup, interfere with blinking, or affect appearance. Removal may be recommended if the papilloma is irritating, changing, cosmetically concerning, or located where it rubs against the eye.
Eyelid Cysts
An eyelid cyst is a fluid-filled or keratin-filled bump that can form beneath the skin or near glands in the eyelid. Some common eyelid cyst types include inclusion cysts, Moll cysts, Zeis cysts, and meibomian gland-related cysts.
A chalazion is a common eyelid lump caused by a blocked meibomian oil gland. It may begin as a tender bump but often becomes a firm, painless swelling over time. Chalazia can sometimes improve with warm compresses, but persistent or large bumps may require treatment, especially if they affect vision or do not resolve.
Not every eyelid cyst needs removal, but persistent cysts, recurrent cysts, or cysts that resemble other lesions should be evaluated.
Eyelid Warts
Warts can occur on the eyelid, including near the eyelid margin or the corner of the eye. An eyelid wart may look like a small rough bump, a raised skin growth, or a cluster of bumps. Because the eyelid is sensitive and close to the eye surface, at-home wart treatments should not be used near the eye unless directed by a physician.
Moles and Nevi on the Eyelid
A mole on the eyelid, also called an eyelid nevus, may be present for years or develop gradually. Some eyelid moles are flat and pigmented, while others are raised. A mole on the eyelash line or eyelid margin can sometimes disrupt lashes or become irritated.
Most eyelid moles are benign, but a new mole, a changing mole, a dark spot on the eyelid, an irregular border, bleeding, crusting, or rapid growth should be examined. Your provider may recommend monitoring, removal, or biopsy depending on the appearance and risk factors.
Seborrheic Keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a common benign skin growth that can occur on the eyelids and around the eyes. It may appear waxy, rough, raised, brown, tan, or “stuck on.” While usually harmless, seborrheic keratoses near the eye can be irritating or cosmetically bothersome. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a biopsy may be recommended.
Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma appears as yellowish plaques or deposits on or near the eyelids, often near the inner corners of the eyes. These lesions are typically benign, but they may be associated with cholesterol or lipid issues in some patients. Removal may be considered for cosmetic reasons or if the plaques become bothersome.
Benign and Malignant Eyelid Tumors
The term “eyelid tumor” does not automatically mean cancer. Many eyelid tumors are benign. However, some eyelid lesions can be malignant, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is among the most common malignant eyelid tumors and often occurs on the lower eyelid or at the inner corner. Warning signs can include a pearly bump, ulceration, bleeding, crusting, lash loss, or a sore that does not heal.
An eyelid papilloma is one of the more common benign eyelid growths. It often appears as a small, skin-colored or slightly raised growth on the eyelid. Some papillomas are smooth, while others have a rough or wart-like texture. They may develop along the eyelid margin or on the skin of the upper or lower eyelid.
Although eyelid papillomas are usually benign, they can become bothersome if they grow, catch on makeup, interfere with blinking, or affect appearance. Removal may be recommended if the papilloma is irritating, changing, cosmetically concerning, or located where it rubs against the eye.
An eyelid cyst is a fluid-filled or keratin-filled bump that can form beneath the skin or near glands in the eyelid. Some common eyelid cyst types include inclusion cysts, Moll cysts, Zeis cysts, and meibomian gland-related cysts.
A chalazion is a common eyelid lump caused by a blocked meibomian oil gland. It may begin as a tender bump but often becomes a firm, painless swelling over time. Chalazia can sometimes improve with warm compresses, but persistent or large bumps may require treatment, especially if they affect vision or do not resolve.
Not every eyelid cyst needs removal, but persistent cysts, recurrent cysts, or cysts that resemble other lesions should be evaluated.
Warts can occur on the eyelid, including near the eyelid margin or the corner of the eye. An eyelid wart may look like a small rough bump, a raised skin growth, or a cluster of bumps. Because the eyelid is sensitive and close to the eye surface, at-home wart treatments should not be used near the eye unless directed by a physician.
A mole on the eyelid, also called an eyelid nevus, may be present for years or develop gradually. Some eyelid moles are flat and pigmented, while others are raised. A mole on the eyelash line or eyelid margin can sometimes disrupt lashes or become irritated.
Most eyelid moles are benign, but a new mole, a changing mole, a dark spot on the eyelid, an irregular border, bleeding, crusting, or rapid growth should be examined. Your provider may recommend monitoring, removal, or biopsy depending on the appearance and risk factors.
Seborrheic keratosis is a common benign skin growth that can occur on the eyelids and around the eyes. It may appear waxy, rough, raised, brown, tan, or “stuck on.” While usually harmless, seborrheic keratoses near the eye can be irritating or cosmetically bothersome. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a biopsy may be recommended.
Xanthelasma appears as yellowish plaques or deposits on or near the eyelids, often near the inner corners of the eyes. These lesions are typically benign, but they may be associated with cholesterol or lipid issues in some patients. Removal may be considered for cosmetic reasons or if the plaques become bothersome.
The term “eyelid tumor” does not automatically mean cancer. Many eyelid tumors are benign. However, some eyelid lesions can be malignant, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma, and melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is among the most common malignant eyelid tumors and often occurs on the lower eyelid or at the inner corner. Warning signs can include a pearly bump, ulceration, bleeding, crusting, lash loss, or a sore that does not heal.
When Should an Eyelid Lesion Be Checked?
You should schedule an evaluation for an eyelid lesion if you notice:
A new growth on the eyelid or lash line
A bump near the corner of the eye that is growing
A mole on the eyelid that changes color, shape, or size
A white, red, brown, or black spot on the eyelid rim
A lesion that bleeds, crusts, scabs, or ulcerates
A lump that does not improve or keeps coming back
Loss of eyelashes around the lesion
Pain, itching, tenderness, or irritation
A growth that rubs against the eye
Changes in eyelid shape or eyelid position
A bump that affects vision or blinking
Can an Eyelid Lump Be Cancer?
Most eyelid bumps are not cancerous, but some can be. This is why evaluation matters, particularly for new, changing, bleeding, ulcerated, irregular, or slow-to-heal lesions.
A “lump on eyelid cancer” search can be scary, but the better approach is to have the lesion examined by a qualified eye care specialist. Your provider can determine whether the lesion looks benign, needs monitoring, should be removed, or should be biopsied.
A biopsy may be recommended when the appearance is suspicious or when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed by exam alone. During a biopsy, a small sample or the entire lesion is removed and sent to a lab for pathology review.
Dr. Coby Raydetermines the best approach to eyelid lesion removal based on the type and location of the lesion, and whether a biopsy is needed. Because the eyelid protects the eye and plays an important role in blinking, tear film health, and overall comfort, he uses precise techniques designed to protect both eyelid function and the eye surface.
For many small, benign eyelid lesions, Dr. Ray can remove the growth in the office using local anesthesia. He numbs the area first, then carefully removes the lesion with a technique matched to its size, depth, and location. Depending on the lesion, he may shave, excise, drain, or remove it with fine surgical instruments. When appropriate, he may send the tissue to pathology for further evaluation.
For deeper lesions, eyelid margin growths, suspicious lesions, or lesions near important eyelid structures, Dr. Ray may recommend a more involved surgical approach. His goal is to remove the lesion while helping preserve eyelid function, natural contour, lash position, and the health of the eye surface.
Schedule an Oculoplastic Consultation
Dr. Ray provides personalized care focused on protecting vision, restoring comfort, and helping you feel confident in your appearance.
An eyelid lesion is an abnormal bump, growth, spot, cyst, mole, wart, or irritated area on or around the eyelid. Eyelid lesions can appear on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, eyelid margin, lash line, waterline, or near the inner or outer corner of the eye.
Many eyelid lesions are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. Common benign eyelid lesions include eyelid papillomas, cysts, warts, skin growths, moles, and seborrheic keratoses. However, some eyelid lesions can resemble more serious conditions, so it is important to have new, changing, bleeding, or non-healing growths evaluated by an eye care specialist.
Eyelid lesions can develop for several reasons, including clogged oil glands, blocked pores, skin changes, viral warts, benign skin growths, cysts, sun exposure, aging, or abnormal cell growth. Because there are many types of eyelid bumps and growths, an exam is the best way to determine the cause.
You should schedule an evaluation if an eyelid bump grows, changes color, bleeds, crusts, scabs, becomes painful, causes lash loss, affects your vision, rubs against the eye, or does not heal. A persistent lump on the eyelid should not be ignored, especially if it looks irregular or keeps coming back.
Yes, some eyelid lesions can be cancerous, although many are benign. Certain eyelid tumors can appear as harmless bumps, cysts, warts, or sores. Warning signs may include bleeding, ulceration, lash loss, irregular borders, rapid growth, or a lesion that does not heal. A biopsy may be recommended if the lesion looks suspicious.
An eyelid papilloma is a common benign eyelid growth. It may look like a small, raised bump, a skin-colored growth, or a wart-like lesion on the eyelid. While eyelid papillomas are often harmless, they may be removed if they become irritating, grow larger, affect appearance, or rub against the eye.
A small scar is possible any time skin is treated or removed, but eyelid skin often heals well. Dr. Ray uses precise techniques designed to remove the lesion while helping preserve eyelid contour, lash position, eyelid function, and the eye surface.
You should NOT try to cut, squeeze, burn, pick, or treat an eyelid lesion at home. The eyelid is delicate, and at-home removal can cause infection, scarring, bleeding, chemical injury, or damage to the eye. Eyelid lesions should be evaluated and treated by a qualified provider.
Healing time depends on the size, depth, and location of the lesion, as well as the removal method. Many patients experience mild swelling, bruising, redness, or tenderness for a few days. If stitches are used, Dr. Ray will let you know whether they dissolve on their own or need to be removed at a follow-up visit.
You should schedule an appointment if you have a new or changing eyelid growth, a bump near the corner of the eye, a mole on the eyelid, a dark spot, a white bump on the eyelid rim, a wart-like growth, or a lesion that irritates your eye. Evaluation is especially important if the lesion bleeds, crusts, grows, causes lash loss, or does not heal.
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