Stye also known as hordeolum is nothing but formation of small lesions on the eyelid. It can be painful and swelling. Painful lesions or lump can form either in the outer part of eyelid and is called as external stye and sometimes tiny swelling can form inside your eyelid called as internal stye and is more painful and irritating than the other type.
Quick Facts On Stye
- Stye is formation of painful lump or lesions on the eyelid
- It can occur either inside or outside the eyelid
- Stye often affects only one eye.
- Stye is caused by bacterial infection.
- Stye would not affect your vision and is harmless.
- Stye is not contagious but it releases pus like fluid when it gets burst.
- Stye resolves on its own within few days without any treatment.
Stye Causes
Staph bacteria causes stye. Normally the bacteria would grow in the follicle (hair like particles) of the eyelash. But sometimes the oily gland of the eyelid can get clogged due to debris accumulation leading to the formation of small lump.
Staphylococcus bacteria would grow and multiply on the area of blocked oily gland causing an infection. Infection can occur on the eyelash follicle or on the sebaceous gland (that keeps your eyes moist) or on the apocrine gland. For some people infection of the meibomian gland can cause internal stye in which the gland gets blocked up with particles.
Stye Symptoms
- Stye is characterized by small swollen red lesions on the eyelid. It can grow outside the eyelid or sometimes inside.
- Stye looks similar to small pimple on your eye.
- Stye can be painful and many times it can cause watery eyes.
- The lump would swell for about couple of days after which they break open to drain the pus.
Diagnosis
Your eye doctor would closely examine the affected eyelid. They may or may not use microscopic instruments to identify stye. In case the stye (lump on the eyelid) becomes hard it can cause chalazion.
Complication
Stye when does not get burst open to drain off the pus can develop into a condition called blepharitis. This can cause inflammation of eyes, severe itching and sore eyes.