A stye is a tiny red bump found on the base of eyelash and sometimes inside the eyelid. This develops when there is any infection on the glands of the eyelid or on the hair follicles. In medical terms stye is called as hordeolum. A stye is called external hordeolum when it develops on the base of hair follicle and it is called as internal hordeolum when it occurs on the glands. The gland is present beneath the eyelid which secretes oily liquid into the eyeball that keeps them well lubricated.
Stye infection is very similar to chalazion in which a cyst develops on the glands of the eyelid. When stye is left untreated for long time, there is possibility for chalazion cyst to develop. It may cause scarring or inflammation around the meibomian gland. However chalazion is not painful, but stye causes pain.
Eye Stye Causes :
Infection occurring in the glands of the eyelid causes stye. Generally the glands keep the eyeballwell lubricated but due to some reason, the glands get clogged and cannot produce oily substance anymore. This results in the infection of meibomian glands. Very often, it is the Staphylococcus bacteria that cause stye infection on the glands and on the hair follicles of the eye. Most of the stye infection is caused due to bacteria. Stye can also develop due to blepharitis when there is inflammation of the eyelids.
Symptoms :
The infected eye becomes red and tender. There may be mild pain on the affected area. Sometimes, eye may feel itchy. In advanced stages, the eyelid may develop swelling and discomfort. There may be watery discharge from the infected eye. Very often the eyes become sensitive to light. You can also see tiny yellowish spot around the bump which is nothing but the pus rising from the surface. It is necessary to get your eyes treated when you see any of the symptoms above.