Eyelid Styes

What is a stye?

A stye (also known as a hordeolum) is a painful lump that develops along the edge of the eyelid when one of the eyelid's oil glands becomes blocked and infected. A chalazion is a similar lump that occurs when an oil gland becomes blocked but is usually not infected and is often painless.

Many styes improve on their own or with simple home treatment. However, if the blockage persists, the lump may remain for weeks or months. In some cases, a minor procedure to drain the stye or remove the chalazion may be recommended. If an infection is present, draining the pus can help relieve symptoms and speed up healing.

What causes a stye?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing a stye, including:

• Blocked meibomian (oil) glands

• Poor eyelid hygiene

• Incomplete removal of eye makeup

• Touching or rubbing the eyes with unclean hands

• Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

• Hormonal changes

• Certain skin conditions, such as rosacea

Symptoms of a stye

Common symptoms include:

• A painful, red lump on the upper or lower eyelid

• Eyelid tenderness and swelling

• Redness around the eyelid

• A burning or gritty sensation

• Excessive tearing

• Mild blurred vision if the swelling is significant

• How is a stye treated?

Most styes can be managed at home by:

• Applying a warm compress to the affected eyelid for 3 to 5 minutes, 2 times a day

• Gently massaging the eyelid after the warm compress, if advised by your doctor

• Keeping the eyelids clean using a recommended eyelid cleanser

• Avoiding squeezing or popping the stye

• Avoiding contact lenses and eye makeup until the stye has healed

When should I visit an eye doctor?

• The stye becomes increasingly painful or swollen

• The redness or swelling spreads to the surrounding eyelid or face

• Your vision becomes blurred or affected

• The stye does not improve after a week to 10 days of home treatment

• You develop recurrent styes

Treatment by our eye specialist

Depending on the severity of your condition, our eye specialist may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

• Antibiotic eye ointments or drops (when an infection is present)

• Steroid medication for selected cases

• Warm compresses and eyelid hygiene therapy

• Oral antibiotics for more severe or spreading infections

• Incision and drainage of the stye or chalazion when it is persistent or does not respond to

• conservative treatment

• Low Level Light (LLLT) Therapy and/or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy for recurrent cases