| Subject | Contents |
| Complications | Recurrence of stye Spread of infection to other eyelash follicles Spread of infection to the tissue of the eyelid (eyelid cellulitis) |
| Calling your health care provider | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if lumps on the eyelid continue to enlarge or do not resolve spontaneously within a week or two. |
| Prevention | Wash hands thoroughly before touching the skin around the eye. Careful attention to cleaning excess oils from the edges of the lids may help prevent styes in susceptible persons. |
| Definition | An infection of oil glands in the eyelid. |
| Alternative Names | Hordeolum |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors | Styes are acute infections of oil glands in the eyelids caused by bacteria from the skin. They are similar to common acne pimples which occur on skin elsewhere. More than 1 stye can occur at one time. Styes usually develop over a few days may drain spontaneously and heal. White blood cells may kill the bacteria, but leave behind a chronic lipogranuloma, called a chalazion . |
| Symptoms | Painful swelling on the eyelid Tearing of the eye Foreign body sensation Sensitivity to light Eye pain |
| Signs and tests | A physical examination of the eye and lids confirms the diagnosis. No special tests are necessary. |
| Treatment | Styes can be treated by applying warm compresses for 10 minutes, 4 times a day. Do not attempt to squeeze the stye; let it drain on its own. Antibiotic creams are sometimes used for recurrent or persistent styes (caused by bacteria). Occasionally styes require lancing to drain the infection. |
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| Expectations (prognosis) | Styes often resolve on their own or they may recur. The outcome is excellent with treatment. |
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