For the last three days I’ve had a swollen eye. The eyeball itself isn’t red or inflamed but the eyelid is swollen. I can also feel a small lump under the top eyelid in the corner by my nose. It is the size of a small pea. I have been to the local walk-in centre and the doctor prescribed Chloramphenicol ointment. I have used it once but it made my eye feel a lot worse. I was wondering if you could give me any advice?

answer

Your description makes it sound like an infection involving one of the many lubricating glands that are situated just under the surface of the upper eyelid. Once the gland gets infected and inflamed it cannot discharge its lubrication, becomes blocked and is then visible through the thin eyelid skin. This is a meibomian cyst and is not usually helped by any ointments.

My advice is to try ‘hot soaks’ to bathe the eye using a clean handkerchief or pad. It has to be as hot as possible but don’t add to your injury by scalding the eye. In many cases even when the initial inflammation clears up the small swelling is left and has to be evacuated in the hospital outpatient department – a very simple procedure.

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