Eccrine hidrocystomas are uncommon cystic lesions, solitary or multiple, of the eyelids and face, most commonly seen in middle-aged women. They are thought to be due to cystic dilatations of the eccrine ducts due to retention of secretions. Frequent exposure to heat has been implicated as a cause.

Multiple eccrine hidrocystomas may be seen with Goltz-Gorlin syndrome (also known as Jessner-Cole syndrome or focal dermal hypoplasia) and Graves disease. Goltz-Gorlin syndrome should be suspected in patients with an intellectual disability, microcephaly, microphthalmia, midfacial hypoplasia, skeletal abnormalities, and malformed ears. They may also have multiple periocular hidrocystomas and papillomas of the lip, tongue, anus, and axilla.

Clinically, these lesions are indistinguishable from apocrine hidrocystomas.