Conjunctival Cyst: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Updated: 5 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer
A conjunctival cyst is a harmless, fluid-filled growth on the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white of the eye. It is not a sign of cancer and often causes no symptoms. Small cysts may go away on their own, while larger ones causing pain or trouble blinking are removed by needle drainage or minor surgery.
What the research says
Intact removal is what prevents recurrence. In a retrospective study of 40 conjunctival cysts that were surgically excised and examined under the microscope, the types included primary inclusion cysts (30%), secondary inclusion cysts (15%), cysts alongside a pterygium (37.5%), parasitic cysts (10%) and lymphatic cysts (5%). The most common symptoms were progressive enlargement (39.45%), a foreign-body sensation (27.86%) and cosmetic concern (26.23%). No recurrence was seen up to one year after surgery when cysts were removed intact. This was a small series from a surgical clinic, so the mix of types may differ from the general population (PubMed: Thatte et al., Saudi J Ophthalmol, 2015).
Cysts after eye-muscle (strabismus) surgery are rare. Among 1,675 patients who had strabismus surgery at one hospital, conjunctival cysts appeared in 7 (0.4%), between 10 days and 6 months after the operation. Four of the 7 had the cyst excised, and one grew MRSA bacteria. The authors concluded that implantation of conjunctival surface cells is the likely main cause, with infection possibly making it worse (PubMed: Min et al., J Ophthalmol, 2018).
Cysts can return if the wall is not removed completely. A report of 3 patients with retention cysts described a technique of staining the cyst wall (trypan blue with methylcellulose) so the whole cyst could be excised. The 2 patients whose cysts followed trachoma had no recurrence for up to 2 years, but the cyst in the third patient, which followed strabismus surgery, was not successfully removed. This was a very small case report (PubMed: El-Abedin Rajab and Demer, Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep, 2019).
What Is a Conjunctival Cyst?
A conjunctival cyst is a benign (noncancerous) growth on the conjunctiva, the thin, clear membrane that protects the white part of your eye. The white of your eye is called the sclera, and the conjunctiva covers it. The conjunctiva protects and lubricates your eye and acts as a barrier between your eye's vulnerable tissues and the outside world.
These cysts form on the conjunctiva itself and are filled with fluid. They are not a symptom of cancer and do not mean you have, or will ever develop, cancer. Depending on size, you might never have symptoms or even notice you have one. If symptoms occur, it might feel like something is stuck in your eye, or it might feel uncomfortable when you blink and move your eye.
Key fact | Detail |
Definition | Benign, fluid-filled growth on the conjunctiva |
Location | On the thin membrane covering the white of the eye (sclera) |
Cancer risk | Not a symptom of cancer |
Natural course | Some go away on their own without treatment |
Long-term outlook | No lasting impact on the eyeball or vision |
Some people are born with conjunctival cysts, while others develop them randomly with no identifiable cause. They can also be caused by anything that irritates your eye, from certain health conditions to allergens.
What are the types of conjunctival cysts?
Conjunctival cysts come in two types, and the difference between them comes down to how the cyst forms. The difference comes down to how the cyst forms.
Type | How it forms | Share of cases |
Inclusion cyst | A layer of the conjunctiva folds over onto itself; a cyst forms around the bump and fills with fluid in response to irritation | More than 80% |
Retention cyst | A tiny duct in the conjunctiva gets clogged by an allergen, dust, or debris; a cyst forms around the blockage, filled with cells and fluid from the lymphatic system | Less common |
How Common Are Conjunctival Cysts?
Anyone can develop a conjunctival cyst. They are more common in people older than 45, though no age group is immune. Because small cysts cause no symptoms, many people only learn they have one when an eye care specialist spots it during a routine eye exam.
What are the symptoms of a conjunctival cyst?
Many people don't experience symptoms, especially if the cyst is very small. If you have a larger cyst, your symptoms can include the following.
Symptom | What it feels like |
Stuck-object sensation | Feeling like something is stuck in your eye, especially when moving it |
Eye pain | Aching or soreness in the affected eye |
Discomfort with movement | Difficulty or discomfort when moving the affected eye |
Blinking difficulty | Difficulty closing your eye or blinking freely |
Bulging (proptosis) | Bulging of the eye in some cases |
It might feel like the cyst is on the inside of your eyelid, because you'll probably only notice it when you blink and your eyelid passes over it. It is rare for conjunctival cysts to affect your vision, but you might experience double vision (diplopia) if the cyst is big enough to impact your eye's ability to move.
What Causes Conjunctival Cysts?
Conjunctival cysts can be caused by anything that irritates your eyes. The most common causes include conjunctivitis (pink eye), pyogenic granuloma, dry eye, and traumas or eye injuries. They also sometimes develop after eye surgery, including procedures to treat strabismus (crossed eyes) and cataracts.
Finally, some conjunctival cysts are congenital, meaning you are born with them. Others develop randomly with no cause at all, which doctors call idiopathic.
Cause | Category |
Conjunctivitis (pink eye) | Eye infection or irritation |
Pyogenic granuloma | Benign growth-related |
Dry eye | Chronic eye irritation |
Trauma and eye injuries | Physical trauma |
Eye surgery (strabismus, cataract) | Post-surgical |
Congenital (born with it) | Present from birth |
How Are Conjunctival Cysts Diagnosed?
Your eye care specialist will diagnose a conjunctival cyst with a standard eye exam. They should be able to see the cyst when looking at your eye.
Diagnostic step | Purpose |
Eye exam | Directly see the cyst on the conjunctiva |
Slit lamp exam | Measure the cyst with magnified light |
Visual acuity test | Make sure the cyst isn't affecting your vision |
Ultrasound | Check for other growths in the eye and surrounding tissue that aren't visible from the outside |
Biopsy | Rule out infections and confirm the growth is a conjunctival cyst rather than another type of cyst |
A biopsy can confirm the growth is a conjunctival cyst instead of another type of cyst, such as a sebaceous cyst (from a blocked oil gland) or a dermoid cyst (a congenital growth containing skin tissue).
How is a conjunctival cyst treated?
Many conjunctival cysts don't need treatment, especially if the cyst is small and isn't causing symptoms. Your eye care specialist will monitor it with regular eye exams. They might suggest at-home treatments such as over-the-counter (OTC) lubricating eye drops or prescription corticosteroid drops to keep your eye lubricated and prevent inflammation.
If you're experiencing symptoms and the cyst doesn't go away on its own, you'll need it removed. Your ophthalmologist will use one of two removal options.
Removal option | How it works | Key consideration |
Aspiration | The eye is numbed with a local anesthetic, then the cyst is punctured with a tiny needle and the fluid is drained | Less invasive, but a higher chance the cyst comes back (recurs) |
Excision | The eye is numbed and the cyst is surgically cut away from the conjunctiva | Surgical removal of the tissue |
Recovery After Removal
You'll need a few days to recover after an aspiration or excision. Your ophthalmologist will tell you which activities to avoid and when you can resume your usual routine. There is still a chance a conjunctival cyst will grow back, even after it's removed. Your eye care specialist will tell you how often you'll need follow-up eye exams to monitor your eye and check for new growths.
What is the outlook for a conjunctival cyst?
The outlook for a conjunctival cyst is excellent. You should expect to make a full recovery, even if you need surgery to remove it. A conjunctival cyst shouldn't have any impact on your vision or eye once it's treated. There is a chance the cyst will reform, or that a new conjunctival cyst will grow, especially if the original cyst was caused by an irritation like an allergen.
Can Conjunctival Cysts Be Prevented?
You can't prevent a conjunctival cyst from forming. In general, make sure you always wear protective eyewear and proper safety equipment while working with tools or doing any activity that could injure your eyes.
How can people live well with a conjunctival cyst?
Living with a conjunctival cyst means seeing your healthcare provider as soon as you notice eye or vision changes and asking whether you will need treatment or removal.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider as soon as you notice any changes in your eyes or vision. Go to the emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms.
Emergency symptom | What to watch for |
Sudden loss of vision | Vision that disappears quickly |
Severe eye pain | Intense pain, not just irritation |
New flashes or floaters | Flashes of light or spots in your vision |
Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
What type of growth is in my eye?
Will I need treatment?
How long will it take for the cyst to go away?
If I need the cyst removed, will I need aspiration or excision?
How is a conjunctival cyst different from a pterygium or pinguecula?
Conjunctival cysts, pinguecula, and pterygium are all growths on the conjunctiva. Here is how they differ.
Feature | Conjunctival cyst | Pterygium (surfer's eye) | Pinguecula |
Appearance | Small fluid-filled bump | Fleshy growth with many blood vessels | Raised yellowish or white growth |
Shape and location | Small bump that can form anywhere on the conjunctiva | Usually triangle-shaped, starts at the outside corner and spreads toward the center | Stays on the conjunctiva |
Spread to cornea | Does not spread | Can grow and spread onto the cornea | Does not spread or overlap onto the cornea |
Symptoms | Usually not painful; felt when moving the eye or blinking | Can grow and affect the eye surface | Usually no symptoms |
Treatment | May go away on its own, or is removed if symptomatic | May require treatment if it grows | Usually doesn't need removal |
Conclusion: A Benign Bump That Rarely Causes Harm
A conjunctival cyst is a benign, fluid-filled bump on the clear membrane that covers the white of your eye. It is not a sign of cancer, and more than 80% of these cysts are simple inclusion cysts. Most never cause symptoms, and some go away on their own.
When a larger cyst causes pain, a stuck-object feeling, or trouble blinking, removal is quick and straightforward, either by draining the fluid with a needle or by minor surgical excision. Recovery takes a few days, and the cyst shouldn't affect your vision or eye long-term.
If you notice any changes in your eyes or feel like something is stuck in your eye, see an eye care specialist. Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or new flashes and floaters are emergency symptoms that need immediate care.
Related reading: our pink eye guide and our cataracts guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a conjunctival cyst?
A conjunctival cyst is a benign (noncancerous), fluid-filled growth on the conjunctiva, the thin, clear membrane that protects the white part of your eye. It is not a symptom of cancer and doesn't mean you have or will develop cancer.
2. Is a conjunctival cyst dangerous?
No. A conjunctival cyst is benign and shouldn't have any long-term impact on your eyeball or vision, even if it needs to be removed. Some cysts go away on their own without treatment.
3. What does a conjunctival cyst feel like?
Many people have no symptoms, but a larger cyst can feel like something is stuck in your eye, especially when moving the eye. It may also cause eye pain, discomfort when blinking, difficulty closing the eye, or in rare cases, bulging or double vision.
4. What causes conjunctival cysts?
Anything that irritates the eyes can cause them, including conjunctivitis (pink eye), dry eye, pyogenic granuloma, eye injuries, and trauma. They sometimes develop after strabismus or cataract surgery, and some people are born with them.
5. Who gets conjunctival cysts?
Anyone can develop a conjunctival cyst, but they are more common in people older than 45. Small cysts are often only discovered during a routine eye exam.
6. How are conjunctival cysts treated?
Many small cysts need no treatment and are simply monitored. Your eye care specialist may suggest over-the-counter lubricating eye drops or prescription corticosteroid drops. Cysts that don't go away are removed by aspiration (needle drainage) or excision (surgical removal).
7. Does removing a conjunctival cyst hurt?
The eye is numbed with a local anesthetic before aspiration or excision. Recovery takes a few days, and your doctor will advise which activities to avoid.
8. Can a conjunctival cyst come back after removal?
Yes. There is a chance a conjunctival cyst will grow back even after removal, especially if the original cyst was caused by an irritation like an allergen. Follow-up eye exams check for new growths.
9. What is the difference between a conjunctival cyst and a pterygium?
A conjunctival cyst is a small fluid-filled bump that can form anywhere on the conjunctiva. A pterygium (surfer's eye) is a fleshy, blood-vessel-rich growth, usually triangle-shaped, that starts at the outside corner of the eye and can grow onto the cornea.
10. When should I see a doctor about a conjunctival cyst?
See an eye care specialist if you notice any changes in your eyes or feel like something is stuck in your eye. Go to the emergency room for sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or new flashes or floaters.
11. Can I prevent a conjunctival cyst?
You can't prevent a conjunctival cyst from forming. As a general measure, always wear protective eyewear and proper safety equipment when working with tools or doing activities that could injure your eyes.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Conjunctival Cyst: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. Dec. 5, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24509-conjunctival-cyst
El-Abedin Rajab GZ, Demer JL. Long-term results of surgical excision of conjunctival retention cyst using trypan blue with methylcellulose. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019;14:28-31. doi:10.1016/j.ajoc.2019.01.010. PMID: 30815620.
Min X, Jiang H, Shi L. Descriptive study of conjunctival cysts: a rare complication after strabismus surgery. J Ophthalmol. 2018;2018:1076818. doi:10.1155/2018/1076818. PMID: 30046458.
Thatte S, Jain J, Kinger M, Palod S, Wadhva J, Vishnoi A. Clinical study of histologically proven conjunctival cysts. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2015;29(2):109-115. doi:10.1016/j.sjopt.2014.06.009. PMID: 25892928.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.
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