Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPingueculaPterygiumConjunctival TumorConjunctival LymphomaLimbal DermoidChemosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pinguecula
Pterygium
Conjunctival Tumor
Conjunctival Lymphoma
Limbal Dermoid
Chemosis
More serious causes of a bump on the eyeball can include cancer, such aseye lymphoma.Even a benign tumor (not cancerous) can lead to vision loss and other symptoms if left untreated.
This article takes a closer look at some types of eyeball bumps and their symptoms and causes. It discusses treatments for a bump on your eyeball and when to see a healthcare provider for care.
A pinguecula is a type of eye growth that occurs on your eye’s white covering, called theconjunctiva. The growth can be made up of fat, protein, or calcium.
The bump can be on either side of your eye but more often is on the inner surface, closer to the nose.Some type of irritation is the most common reason for a pinguecula to form, but it also may be more likely (or more noticeable) with age because a pinguecula can grow in size over time.
Symptoms
A pinguecula presents as a yellow-colored raised growth. Symptoms include:
Is It OK to Wear Contacts if You Have Pinguecula?It may be difficult or uncomfortable to wear contacts with this condition, as the contact lenses can rub the pinguecula and the friction can cause pingueculitis. You’re probably better off not wearing your contact lenses. Talk to yourophthalmologistto find out when to start wearing your contacts again.
Is It OK to Wear Contacts if You Have Pinguecula?
It may be difficult or uncomfortable to wear contacts with this condition, as the contact lenses can rub the pinguecula and the friction can cause pingueculitis. You’re probably better off not wearing your contact lenses. Talk to yourophthalmologistto find out when to start wearing your contacts again.
Causes
Experts believe that this type of eye growth happens because of environmentalexposure to UV light, dust particles, and wind. Repeated exposure to sunny, windy, sandy conditions can cause this type of growth.
For some people, the repeated exposure is due to an occupation that keeps them working outdoors. Wearing sunglasses can help to prevent a pinguecula from forming.
Treatment
Lubrication with artificial tears or eyedrops may help with the pain or discomfort of this type of eye bump. Your healthcare provider may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or prescribe steroid eye drops. Cold compresses also can bring symptom relief.
In some cases, typically for cosmetic reasons, surgery may be needed to remove the growth. A procedure calledargonlaser photocoagulationalso can be used with small, simpler cases of pinguecula.
Apterygiumis a growth that may start as a pinguecula. It can also happen spontaneously.
Consider seeing an eye specialist for diagnosis and treatment, so talk to your healthcare provider about options.
Sometimes, as mentioned, a pinguecula growth turns into a pterygium. However, pterygia look different. They’re fleshy in color and contain blood vessels. They can change your vision prescription and can, in rare cases, distort vision.
Like a pinguecula, a pterygium growth may also cause inflammation and discomfort in the eye.
A pterygium happens because of environmental exposure. A pterygium is also called surfer’s eye (which may refer to pinguecula as well). People who spend a lot of time in windy, sunny conditions may have a higher risk of developing this type of eye growth.
Treatment for this type of growth is the same as a pinguecula growth. However, if a pterygium gets too big, surgery may be necessary.Adding another treatment, like topical cyclosporine or beta radiation (often used in eye care), may better prevent another pterygium from occurring.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf your eye bump is painful, and inflamed with swelling and redness, contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You may have a pinguecula or a pterygium, but you also may have an infection or other condition, including eye cancer. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your eye bump is painful, and inflamed with swelling and redness, contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. You may have a pinguecula or a pterygium, but you also may have an infection or other condition, including eye cancer. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Conjunctival tumorscan be malignant but are usually benign.Because they are visible, an early diagnosis is more likely than with eye cancer that doesn’t present visually. If you notice a bump on your eyeball, don’t assume it’s benign. Make an appointment with an ophthalmologist to get a definitive diagnosis.
These tumors of the eye are most often melanoma-related. Many people don’t have symptoms at first, but symptoms ofmalignant melanomaorsquamous cell carcinomainclude:
Cancer can develop for several reasons. Melanoma of the eye is linked to sunlight exposure but may have other causes.This can sometimes cause damage that includes pigment (color) changes.
Treatment depends on when the carcinoma is detected and how advanced it is. In some cases, a healthcare provider may even take a wait-and-see approach with careful monitoring.
Some types of eye cancer respond well to chemotherapy drops. Malignant melanoma requires a more invasive treatment approach, such as surgery.Cryotherapy(freezing cells) and radiation are other possible treatment options.
Eye lymphoma is a type of cancer that specifically affects the eye, and it can affect multiple parts of the eye (theretinaor theuvea, for example). This makes it more likely to interfere with your vision.
Many people who develop eye lymphoma get it in both eyes.Conjunctival lymphoma is a cancer that specifically appears on the surface of the eye. The bump typically has a pink-colored hue and is painless.
Symptoms other than a bump on the eye may include:
Risk factors for this type of eye cancer include:
People taking immunosuppressants or who have diseases that affect the immune system may have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer.
There’s also evidence that conjunctival lymphoma may occur as a response to certain infections or viruses, such asChlamydophila psittaci.
Treatment for conjunctival lymphoma typically involves removing the tumor. Other treatments include:
A dermoid is a type of cyst that’s present at birth and is usually found in the head or neck. About 85% of them are limbal dermoids, which are found in the conjunctiva that covers the “white” of your eye. They’re considered ahamartoma(type of benign tumor) and may contain teeth, hair, or nerves.
This type of bump on your eyeball isn’t usually a cause for concern, but you’ll probably want to have it removed regardless. This will depend on the size (removing a small limbal dermoid may not be worth the risk of scarring), symptoms, and other factors.
A limbal dermoid has a few distinguishing features, including:
There’s no known cause for this type of eye growth. However, they are not entirely uncommon. One study of 2,639 eyelid tumors found that dermoid cysts were among the top five most frequent type of benign lesions.
Most of the time, treatment isn’t necessary unless there is an infection or the growth interferes with vision. If there’s irritation, steroid eye drops can help. If the growth is affecting vision, a doctor can surgically remove it.
Limbal Dermoid in ChildrenMost limbal dermoids in adults are harmless, but they should be carefully monitored in children. Limbal dermoids may affect a child’s vision and cause vision problems down the road.
Limbal Dermoid in Children
Most limbal dermoids in adults are harmless, but they should be carefully monitored in children. Limbal dermoids may affect a child’s vision and cause vision problems down the road.
This condition causes swelling that may look like a bump on the outer surface of the eyeball. The swelling may be so severe that closing the eye is difficult.
This kind of eye swelling can happen because of an infection, allergies, or inflammation. Physical irritation may also cause chemosis.
In some cases, it may be related to an underlying health condition likelupus.
Allergy medication and the application of a cold compress may help reduce swelling. Swelling that starts to impair vision requires immediate attention.
Chalazia, Stye, and Scratched Cornea
What Are the Differences Between Chalazion and a Stye?
Summary
A bump on your eyeball can have causes that range from a simple corneal scratch or viral infection that will go away on its own, to a much more serious diagnosis of cancer. The type of bump, its location, and your symptoms will help a healthcare provider to determine the cause.
Treatment options vary depending on the reason for the bump on your eyeball. In some cases, you may want to have it removed solely for cosmetic reasons. Or, your healthcare provider may be concerned but wants to watch and see how a small growth progresses.
In other situations, you may require surgery, chemotherapy, and other options. Keep in mind that a big bump is noticeable, but other changes, like tiny freckles, may be harder to spot. You should get regular eye exams to keep tabs on your eye health—even if you don’t wear glasses.
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