A hordeolum, commonly called a stye, is a tender bump caused by inflammation or infection of an eyelid gland. Learn the common symptoms, causes, home care, warning signs, and when to schedule an eye examination at Bespoke Eye Care in Chester Springs.
Overview
A hordeolum, commonly called a stye, is a tender, red bump on the eyelid caused by a blocked and infected oil gland. Styes are very common and usually harmless, and most clear up on their own within one to two weeks with simple home care.
At Bespoke Eye Care in Chester Springs, we help patients ease discomfort, rule out other eyelid problems, and address the underlying causes when styes keep coming back.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually develop over a day or two.
External Stye
The most common type. It forms at the base of an eyelash, along the edge of the lid. You may notice:
- A red, painful bump on the lid margin, often with a small yellow or white point.
- Swelling and tenderness of the eyelid.
Internal Stye
This type forms in a meibomian gland inside the eyelid. It can feel deeper and more painful, and the bump may be easier to see when the lid is turned slightly outward. Symptoms can include:
- A sore, swollen eyelid, sometimes without an obvious head.
- A scratchy feeling or the sense that something is in the eye.
- Watery eyes and mild sensitivity to light.
Stye or Chalazion?
A chalazion is a firm, usually painless lump that forms when a blocked oil gland does not drain. It can follow a stye and may linger for weeks. An eye exam helps tell the two apart.
Causes & Risk Factors
A stye forms when an oil gland or lash follicle at the edge of the eyelid becomes blocked and bacteria, most often staph bacteria from the skin, cause an infection. The gland fills with pus and becomes inflamed, creating the tender bump.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can get a stye, but they are more likely if you:
- Have blepharitis (ongoing eyelid inflammation) or meibomian gland dysfunction.
- Have rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Often touch or rub your eyes, especially with unwashed hands.
- Sleep in eye makeup or use old or shared cosmetics.
- Wear contact lenses without careful cleaning and hand washing.
- Have diabetes or have had styes before.
Diagnosis
A stye is usually diagnosed during a simple eye exam, where we look closely at your eyelids and lashes.
- Eyelid and lash exam: Checking the location, size, and type of the bump.
- Slit-lamp examination: A magnified view of the lid margin, oil glands, and eye surface.
- Eyelid eversion: Gently turning the lid to look for an internal stye.
- Tear film and gland assessment: Looking for blepharitis or gland dysfunction that may cause repeat styes.
A lump that keeps returning in the same spot, bleeds, or changes the lashes should be examined closely, and we may refer you for further evaluation.
Treatment & Management
Most styes improve with consistent home care. The goal is to help the blocked gland open and drain on its own.
Home Care
- Warm compresses: Hold a clean, warm washcloth on the closed eyelid for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day.
- Gentle massage: After a compress, lightly massage the lid toward the lashes to encourage drainage.
- Clean lids: Use a gentle lid cleanser or diluted baby shampoo along the lash line.
- Hands off: Never squeeze or pop a stye, as this can spread infection.
- Pause makeup and contacts: Wear glasses until the stye has fully healed, and replace eye makeup you used before it started.
When We Step In
If a stye does not improve after a few days, we may recommend prescription antibiotic ointment or drops, or oral antibiotics if the infection is spreading. A stubborn stye or chalazion can sometimes need an in-office procedure or a referral to drain it.
Preventing Repeat Styes
Daily lid hygiene and treating blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction can greatly reduce how often styes return.
Get Relief for a Stubborn Stye
If a stye isn't settling or keeps coming back, schedule an eye exam at Bespoke Eye Care in Chester Springs. We'll ease your discomfort and treat the cause.
Schedule Your Visit Call (484) 606-3937