If you notice small bumps in the corner of your eye, don't put on some sunglasses and ignore the problem. Although the lumps near the corner of your eye may be harmless, they may also be a dangerous medical condition that requires immediate attention. Consult your doctor before trying any home remedies or treatments to heal your eye condition.
Types
Small bumps in the corner of the eye may be due to several medical conditions, including a sty, which occurs at the edge of the eyelid and looks like a red pimple; ocular herpes simplex, which may create red, bumpy blisters around the eyelid or on the eye itself; and a chalazion, which may look like a small cyst in the corner of the eye. Your doctor will determine your particular condition by giving you an eye exam.
Causes
According to MayoClinic.com in the article "Sty," a sty is generally caused by inflammation of the eyelid due to irritants or bacterium staphylococcus, which may grow on the eyelid. Ocular herpes simplex may be caused by touching someone who has the virus and then rubbing your eye or from sharing a drink with someone who gets cold sores on the mouth. The virus may lie dormant in the body for many years before you experience any symptoms, notes the University of Illinois Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences website in the article "Ocular Herpes Simplex." A chalazion occurs when one of the glands that provides fluid to lubricate the eye is blocked and is unable to drain.
Home Remedies
Both a sty and a chalazion may go away on their own and in many cases do not require medical care. With your eyes closed, apply warm compresses to the eye area for 15 minutes, four times a day, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center website in the article "Chalazion." Do not use home remedies to treat cases of ocular herpes simplex.
Prescription Treatments
Apply an antiviral ointment or eye drop to the eye as prescribed by your doctor to heal superficial cases of ocular herpes simplex that have not caused severe corneal infection, notes the University of Illinois Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences website. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or eye drop to reduce a sty and promote healing. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops for several days if you are preparing to get a chalazion surgically removed.
Surgical Treatments
Individuals with severe cases of ocular herpes simplex may experience scarring of the cornea, the clear protective layer that rests over the eye and prevents infection. In some cases, some or all vision may be lost and a corneal transplant may be necessary. A chalazion that does not respond to home remedies may be removed from underneath the eyelid to prevent scarring, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. Your doctor may lance and drain a pus-filled sty to relieve pressure and prevent infection.
