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Tiny 'bubble' looking bump in my eye, what might it be?

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A week ago while putting on makeup I notice the tiniest "bubble" in my tear duct, it's not transparent but it just looks like a bubble and it's barely noticeable. It's not a stye because those pop up along the lash line but this is actually on the flesh inside my eye on the tear duct area. It doesn't hurt nor itch. My doctor took a look at it and told me to buy this certain eye drop. As I found it at the pharmacy the eye drops were for itchy eyes which I don't have. I bought a dry eyes drop instead since I get dry eyes sometimes. I also did a warm compress a couple times and googled "bump in tear duct" or anything but pictures of styes come up and nothing similar to what I have.
My questions are:

1. Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

2. It doesn't look like a real infection or anything it's barely noticeable but the idea of having it bothers me. Should I refrain from wearing makeup due to risk of contaminating my makeup? I've sanitized all my tools and wiped down all my eye products but I don't know if I should use my makeup or not.

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replied September 29th, 2011
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The most commonly encountered "bump" on the eye concerning patients is a fleshy-appearing growth called a pinguecula. They may be colorless, yellow, gray, or white. They are usually found on the white part of the eye in the space between the eyelids, almost always on the side closest to the nose. Pingueculae are more common in middle-aged or older people but they can also be found in younger people and even children.



The exact cause or causes of this disorder is still unknown, but it occurs more frequently in people who live in sunny and windy climates and people whose jobs expose them to ultraviolet (UV) light (for example, farmers and arc welders). The frequency of pingueculae increases with age lending credence to the idea that they are primarily the result of prolonged exposure to UV, infrared light, and irritation.

Signs and Symptoms




If you have any concern about the bump, or you develop other symptoms, you might want to see an ophthalmologist for an examination. Good luck.
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