Clear Bumps on Bottom Lids

[Guest]

Not sure if this is the right area to post this.

I have noticed the occasional bump on my bottom eyelid (generally right eye).

To get rid of them I generally use a pair of tweezers. I did try warm compresses and lid scrubs a few times but the tweezers got rid of them instantly.

My bottom lids are often quite red also.

I asked my DR whether I had Blepharitis and he said that I had no sign of it so could this be MGD, something else or just my "imagination" playing tricks on me yet again?

Can anyone suggest anything, I have read a bit about compresses and lid scrubs but I found them quite irritating and made my inflammation worse.

How often would you use lid scrubs and warm compresses?

Cheers

Ian

[np1981]

In the months before I realised I had DES, I used to get the same little bumps on my lower lid (I assume you meant on the lid margins). I never paid any attention to them as they went away after a few days. But I was told later (when getting treatment for MGD) that the bumps could have been clogged glands. I don't get them anymore, but I am using warm compresses regularly (once a day).

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.

They are on the lid margins and I usually only get 1 at a time. If I leave them, they will go away after a day or two.

I just wanted to check that it isn't something more serious like MGD or something.

I will recommence with the lid cleaning of a morning and night. Not too sure about the warm compress again as it makes my eyes look much more inflammed.

Cheers

Ian

[Guest]

Please help this confused soul?

I decided that I would ask my GP for a referral to another Opthamologist (just for reassurance)

My appointment was pretty uneventful:
- Examination of lids/margins/eyes/tear meniscus - all look good
- Shirmer score - 10mm after 30 sec (no anesthetic), told to keep eyes open if possible, extremely irritating resulting in reflex tears - Not sure if the fact that I am wearing plugs would effect this result? - What does it mean anyway??
- TBUT very quick (approx 5 seconds). Normally I manage 8-10 seconds in my own clinical trials - staring in front of the mirror daring myself not to blink for 10 seconds until my eyes start to feel uncomfortable.

Outcome
- Don't have dry eyes just a quick TBUT that could be producing symptoms of dry eye ( ) .
- No Aqueous problem
- No Lipid Problem (she was able to express oil from my glands and they look perfectly normal)
- Process of deduction resulted in my problem being Mucin Layer (given that this was the layer that was sliced and fried during my surgery).
- I found the dye (yellow) very irritating this time and just couldn't manage to keep my eyes open for a TBUT. She would tell me to blink, then look at her watch but before she settled back at the slit lamp I had already blinked.
- Treatment - use artificial tears and look down at my computer monitor, Try a few different artificial tears until I find one I like - Why did I bother????

I asked again about the Lipid layer as I thought it was primarly responsible for a quick TBUT. She reassured me that the lipid glands seemed to be functioning normally. She did say to keep up the warm compress 2Xdaily, she felt it wouldn't do any harm and if there is a blockage it will help clear it.

This DR's opinion is that my problem is most likely related to the mucin layer. However my treating surgeon told me that because I get the occasional mucus strings, to him this indicated that my mucin layer was working overtime and that the problem is most likely lipid related/evaporation issues.

I feel like going back with a list of questions and asking for some clarity on her comments. Are there not specific tests available that they can test each layer?

I guess all I can do is keep up with the drops and invest in some more patience (something I don't seem to have a lot of).

Generally I think that my eyes are looking better and are feeling less irritated, I also think my vision has improved so I guess something is going on that has to be for the better. I just hope this is the start of many more good things to come.

I just feel so confused at the moment, I continue to think that I have a lipid problem given that I get these bumps on my lid glands every so often and a warm compress and massage seems to shift them.

I will definately continue with the warm compresses, I committed myself to 2 x daily for a month and I am only 4 days into it at this stage.

If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very grateful.

Thanks again.

Ian

[dianat]

Ian,

Sorry I don't have any helpful suggestions, just some comments and random thoughts...

You sound so much like me. My "measurements" during eye doc appts are usually pretty normal...especially now that I am cauterized. I was even told by a local eye doc that if I hadn't indicated to him that I had comfort problems, he wouldn't have even noticed anything unusual.

My glands don't appear to be clogged anymore, though I was diagnosed a year or so after LASIK with clogged meibomian glands. I got that under control and maintained it, but never actually felt any better.

Today, my personal theory is that whatever is coming out of my meibomian glands probably isn't good quality sebum. Nobody does sebum testing that I know of - not that it would do any good since there no doubt isn't a cure for bad sebum output. I'm stuck on this theory mainly because the only real relief I can get is with hot compresses. It generally feels really good after I do it. And, gee, it's not like I have a whole lot of other ideas that address why I'm so uncomfortable.

So, that's currently what I think. My guess is that I had this problem before LASIK and it was just exacerbated by the procedure. Naturally, tomorrow I could change my diagnosis to bad mucin production should some proof of that become apparent. I'm not sure how that's measured or if it even can be. Again, if there's no fixing it, then why test for it...

I have been wondering lately about why it is that I've always - since my teenage years - had eye issues. I battled allergies and conjuntivitis and always seemed more sensitive to chlorine in pools as a kid. I also used to get sties and once had a chalazion surgically removed. I did abuse my eyes a bit, too, as I was an avid swimmer and kept my eyes open a lot. I struggled with contact lens intolerance in my teenage years as well. Too bad my LASIK sugeon didn't dig for all this information...

I question today whether these "abuses" in my youth led to my demise. Does chlorine destroy certain eye functions? Does bacterial infection? There's no doubt I was compromised before surgery. There are so many happy LASIK patients out there.

Why are we so different?

Diana

[DrG]

I think -- and I've read it -- that sebum varies in consistency depending on the individual. Some of the consituents are solids at the temperature of the eyelid and need a higher temperature to liquify. Perhaps a healthy diet of omega-3 EFA's helps to keep the sebum more liquid....or so it's supposed to at any rate.

[Guest]

Thanks Diana and DrG for your comments and suggestions.

I am sticking with the warm compress and lid massage, I am not sure if it is mind over matter but I certainly feel better for doing it and my eyes seem to be comfortable for longer.

I will keep it up for the next month and see if I notice any more improvement over the next few weeks.

I think that I could be getting to the bottom of the red bottom lid thing. My lids are usually quite red of a morning when I wake up.

My DR had me try Lacriserts which contain hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, I believe another name for this is hypromellose (found that yesterday after searching this BB).

About 3 hours after inserting the Lacriserts, I had excruciating burning and inflammed bottom lids. I also use Genteal Gel of a night and I have just read that it contains hypromellose, it is possible I guess to be sensitive to this ingredient.

Novartis do another product here in the UK called Viscotears and the active ingredient is Carbomer, so I will try that and see if I get the same reaction.

I am also changing my Omega-3 intake, I am currently taking Theratears Nutrition but they are quite expensive here in the UK so I will be switching over to my own DIY blend of 2X1000mg Organic Flaxseed Oil and 2 X 1000mg of High EPA Fish Oil. My GP has told me that there is not a problem with me taking this amount.

For those of you in the the UK, Holland & Barratt have both of these products on special this month at 50% off so the price is currently £6.00 per bottle. I have stocked up on it at this price.

Thanks again

Ian

[laine]

clear bumps on lash margin

I used to get clear fluid filled bumps just below my eyelash margin. They itch and burn like mad. I have been cleaning my eyes every night with Q-tip and very lightly salted saline solution. I scrub along the smooth area just below the lash margin, where the tiny little bumps develop. I hardly get the bumps anymore, since I started doing this a couple of years ago. I should also mention that I apply a warm/hot compress after cleaning my eyes.
Hope this helps. Make sure to not use alot of salt or it will make eyes even drier. Just a few grains seems to work.
Elaine