Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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The eyelids and the area around the eye develop a range of lumps and lesions, from chalazia (eyelid cysts) and
styes to skin tags, small papillomas, milia, xanthelasma and the occasional lesion that needs
checking more carefully. Because the eye area is delicate and functional, these are best assessed and treated by a
consultant plastic surgeon, usually under local anaesthetic and planned for the neatest possible result.
This guide explains the common eyelid lesions, how they are removed, and when one needs a closer look.
Common Eyelid Lesions
- Chalazion (eyelid cyst): a firm, usually painless lump from a blocked oil gland, covered in full in our chalazion removal guide.
- Stye: an acute, painful, infected swelling at the lash line; see eyelid cyst vs stye.
- Skin tags and small papillomas: soft, benign growths on or near the eyelid.
- Milia: tiny white keratin bumps around the eyes.
- Xanthelasma: soft yellowish cholesterol deposits on the inner eyelids.
Why the Eye Area Needs a Specialist
The eyelid is thin, mobile and functionally important, and it sits next to the eye itself, so there is little room for
error. Removing a lesion here is as much about protecting the eyelid’s function and giving a discreet result as it is
about taking the lesion off. That is why eyelid lesions are best handled by a consultant plastic surgeon
who operates on this area regularly, rather than treated casually, and why the approach is tailored to the specific
lesion and its position.
How They Are Removed
Most eyelid lesions are removed under local anaesthetic as a quick, same-day procedure, with the method
chosen to suit the lesion. A chalazion, for example, is treated by incision and drainage from the inside
of the eyelid, leaving no visible scar. Other small lesions may be carefully excised or treated so the eyelid margin and
lashes are preserved. The exact plan, and the cost, are confirmed at your consultation after the surgeon has examined the
lesion.
When a Lesion Needs Checking
Most eyelid lumps are harmless. However, a lesion that is growing, bleeding, ulcerated, losing lashes,
or a lump that keeps recurring in exactly the same spot, should always be examined carefully and may be
sent for laboratory analysis, because a small number of eyelid lesions need to be ruled out as something more serious. We
assess any such lesion properly rather than simply removing it cosmetically, and refer onward where that is the right
thing to do.
Common Questions
- Who should remove a lesion on my eyelid?
- A consultant plastic surgeon who operates on the eye area regularly. The eyelid is delicate and functional, so removal is about protecting its function and giving a discreet result, not just taking the lesion off.
- Will there be a scar on my eyelid?
- The aim is the most discreet result possible. A chalazion is removed from the inside of the eyelid with no visible scar; for other lesions the incision is planned to be as inconspicuous as possible.
- How do I know if an eyelid lump is serious?
- Most are not, but a lump that grows, bleeds, ulcerates, causes lash loss or keeps recurring in the same spot should be assessed by a specialist and may be sent for analysis. Have any changing eyelid lesion checked rather than removed casually.
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