The image shows several dark, rounded plugs within raised bumps near the lower eyelid and upper cheek. They resemble enlarged clogged pores or blackhead-like lesions, but a photograph alone cannot confirm an exact diagnosis. Because the area is extremely close to the eye, attempting to squeeze or extract these lesions at home can cause irritation, bleeding, or injury and should be avoided.

What many people call blackheads are medically known as open comedones. They develop when a pore becomes blocked with oil and dead skin cells, and when the opening remains exposed to air, the material inside oxidizes and appears dark. The color is not simply dirt. The nose and surrounding facial areas are particularly prone to this because they contain many sebaceous glands, though unusually large or clustered lesions can have other causes and require an in-person examination.

The skin around the eyes needs extra care because it is delicate and more vulnerable to complications. Aggressive squeezing, picking, or using extraction tools without proper technique can lead to inflammation, infection, post-inflammatory marks, and scarring. For that reason, dermatologists generally recommend avoiding picking at acne lesions, especially so close to the eye.

For ordinary blackheads, treatment options that help unclog pores are often discussed with a healthcare professional, including topical retinoids such as adapalene and products containing salicylic acid that help remove dead skin cells. Persistent lesions can sometimes be addressed through professional comedo extraction performed by a trained clinician. If you notice lesions like those in the photo, especially right beside the eye, it is best to have them evaluated by a dermatologist or primary care provider rather than trying to treat them yourself.