Possible Clues:

• Something painful on Observer's cover?
• Lump over a peeper
• Hordeolum, a swelling of the eyelid
• Letters confiscated by provost yesterday — sore point?
• Inflammatory complaint on The Observer’s cover
• Eye infection also known as hordeolum
• Eyelid irritant
• Infection prominent during past years
• Good man has the old eyelid problem
• ... misty eyes covering a glandular infection