The white of the eye and the underside of the eyelids have a tissue lining called the conjunctiva that has similar qualities to the skin on the rest of your body. Bumps may form on the conjunctiva, and, in some cases, these growths may have a yellow color, and the bumps may range in size. Some bumps may cause discomfort or irritation. Knowing more about these bumps may help you discuss treatment options with your eye doctor.
Pinguecula
A pinguecula is one type of bump that may appear on the white area of your eye. These bumps often appear on the nasal side of your conjunctiva, starting off as small yellow bumps that typically take many years to grow. A small pinguecula will not result in complications, though you may feel the bump when you blink. If the pinguecula grows, you may experience some discomfort, which often results from dryness around the site. An eye doctor may recommend lubricating artificial tears or a medicated eye drop to help soothe the irritation. However, unless the pinguecula causes significant pain or interferes with vision, an eye doctor will not typically recommend removing the growth.
Pterygium
Pterygia also grow on the white of the eye. These growths typically start as small nodules, but then spread, growing toward the cornea. An advanced pterygium will appear thick, and you may notice blood vessels in the growth's tissue. In many advanced pterygia, the growth will spread out, moving over the cornea, the outer clear window of the eye. This could disrupt vision or lead to significant discomfort. Artificial tears may help ease some of the discomfort, but an eye surgeon will often recommend surgical removal of a pterygium if it causes pain or vision changes.
Eyelid Bumps
Some yellow bumps also appear on the eyelids. A xanthelasma is a yellow deposit that forms just under the skin of the eyelids. These deposits do not cause pain or discomfort, but a person may choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons.
Early tumors may appear as yellow bumps on the eyelids. A doctor will need to evaluate the bump to determine the type of bump and if it requires treatment. The eye doctor will use a slit lamp, a special microscope designed to examine the eyes. If she thinks the growth may have cancerous properties, she may recommend removing the bump to prevent any cancerous cells from spreading.
Prevention
You can take measures to prevent bumps on your eyes and eyelids. Wear sunglasses with ultraviolet protection when you spend time outdoors. If you spend time welding, wear protective eyewear because welders have a greater risk for having pingueculas and pterygia.
Consideration
Contact your eye doctor if you notice growths on your eyes or eyelids to determine the cause. Some tumors may have similar properties to benign growths, and your eye doctor can help determine the cause. If caught and treated early, many cancerous growths will not cause serious, long-term complications.
