Tiny bumps after eyelid surgery are normal and usually resolve on their own within 3-4 months as scar tissue matures. They can be due to lymphatic fluid, scar tissue, suture reactions, or deep sutures near the bone. Leaving bumps untreated is usually best unless they are infected, in which case warm compresses and antibiotics may help. Following up with a surgeon is important to determine the cause and best treatment if needed.

1. What To Do If Tiny Bumps Form
After Eyelid Surgery

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. It’s possible that the lump could
be:

12. A fluid-filled cyst (a seroma)
or a hematoma (a collection
of blood):
This will resolve on its own with
time.

13. That’s if you had fat injected at
the same time of the procedure.
A fat nodule:

14. This can sometimes develop
after manipulation of the
eyelid during surgery. An
ophthalmologist is equipped to
remove the stye.
A small chalazion or stye:

15. 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:

16. 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.

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

18. Do you have any questions about
eyelid surgery but are not yet
ready to commit to a one-on-one
consultation?

19. I invite you to join me for a free information
evening where you can ask me your
questions in an intimate and friendly group
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20. Dr Naveen Somia MBBS, PhD, FRACS
+61 2 9387 2110
www.naveensomia.com.au
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