Cysts

Cysts are common around the eyelids and occur due to blockages of glands, close to the skin surface or in deeper structures. Small cysts of sweat glands or sebaccecous glands can mimic the appearance of small cancers. Cysts can enlarge rapidly and may distort the eyelid causing irritation and tearing.

Small cysts close to the eye are removed with the aid of an operating microscope in hospital as a day case procedure.

Dr Stelmach removes cysts in the operating theatre usually under local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation (“twilight” anaesthetic, not a general anaesthetic). The specimen is sent to pathology to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude the presence of a skin cancer.