Eyelid Styes

What is a stye?

A stye (chalazion /hordeolum) occurs when a meibomian oil gland/s at the margin of the eyelid becomes infected. The presence of a lump disappears on its own when the blockage of the gland opening is relieved, but this does not usually happen spontaneously. A persistent stye may require incision and drainage. The infection often goes away when the pus is drained from the stye.

What causes stye?

Some factors that may contribute to the infection of the glands:

• Improper or incomplete removal of eye makeup

• Poor eyelid hygiene

• Hormonal change

• Inflammatory diseases of the eyelid

Symptoms of stye

Here are some of the symptoms:

• Pain of eyelids

• Redness

• A tender lump on the top or bottom eyelid

• Burning

• Mildly blurred vision

Stye treatment

Apply a warm, damp cloth to your eyelid for about 3 to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day and then clean your eyelids (especially over the margins of the eyelids)

In what circumstances should I visit an eye doctor?

Seek medical attention if the stye becomes painful or tender, or if the eyelids become more swollen and/or affects your vision.

Our eye specialist will be able to treat it with a range of treatments which may be given alone or in combination, such as:

• Antibiotic and steroid eye ointments

• Warm compress and lid cleanser

• Oral antibiotics

• Incision and Drainage of the stye