Stye

A painful red bump on the edge of the eyelid may resemble a boil or a pimple.

• Tenderness, swelling, or pain in the eyelid
• A gritty, scratchy sensation, as if there is a foreign body in the eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Excessive tearing

Stye is a bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus. Our eyelids contain numerous oil glands that produce an oily film on the surface of the eye, aiding in the maintenance of healthy eye lubrication. However, these oil glands can become clogged due to:

• Old oil
• Debris
• Dead skin cells
• Germs

When this occurs, debris accumulates, leading to gland clogging. A stye can also be caused by blepharitis, which is the swelling of the eyelid. This condition causes the eyelids at the base of the lashes to become red and puffy.

Anyone can develop a stye, but certain factors may increase your susceptibility:

• Skin conditions such as seborrhoeic dermatitis
• Medical conditions such as diabetes and high serum lipids
• History of stye or chalazion
• Poor eye hygiene
• Blepharitis (irritated, swollen eyelids)
• Using old or contaminated eye makeup
• Wearing contact lenses

Did you know? Wearing masks led to an increase in stye cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has shown that wearing a mask or breathing upward while wearing a mask, along with improperly-fitted masks and fogging glasses, can cause the skin around the eyes to become oily and congested, thereby increasing the risk of styes.

An ophthalmologist can diagnose a stye by conducting a physical examination of the affected eye. During the examination, the ophthalmologist will inspect the eyelid for visible signs of a stye, including:

• Redness
• Swelling
• A small bump on the eyelid

The ophthalmologist may also inquire about the patient's symptoms, such as:

• Pain or discomfort in the affected eye
• History of previous styes

In some cases, the ophthalmologist may conduct a culture test to identify the specific type of bacteria causing the stye.

There are several tips that can be done to maintain eye hygiene and prevent stye, such as:

• Before touching your eyes or the skin around your eyes, always thoroughly wash your hands.
• Disinfect your contact lenses on a regular basis.
• Before going to bed, remove any eye makeup.
• Use only cosmetic eye products that are not outdated or expired.
• Avoid sharing a towel with someone having a stye or chalazion.
• You can also take fish oil supplements to prevent clogging of oil glands.

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Preventive measures to prevent stye in children:

A stye is a common eye infection that can occur in children of all ages. Here are some precautions you can take to prevent stye in children:

• Teach children to avoid rubbing their eyes as it can spread bacteria from the hands to the eye area.
• Encourage children to wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of bacteria that can cause stye.
• Ensure children use a clean towel and washcloth when cleaning their face or eyes.
• Teach children to avoid sharing towels, washcloths, and eye makeup with others, as this can spread bacteria.
• If your child wears contact lenses, ensure that they follow proper hygiene practices and avoid sleeping in contact lenses.
• Ensure that children do not share eye drops or other eye medications with others.
• Consult with your child's healthcare provider if your child is experiencing recurring styes or if the stye does not improve after a few days.

A stye is usually a self-limiting condition that resolves itself within a week. However, your eye doctor may recommend treatment, including:

• Use warm compresses: Apply a warm, damp towel to the affected region for at least 15 minutes four times each day. Massage the afflicted region carefully with clean fingers. This may help open clogged pores, allowing them to drain and heal. Twice daily, use a wet cotton bud to clean the base of the eyelashes. Avoid pinching a stye or any other eyelid lump; allow it to drain on its own.
• Note: If you have a stye, carefully brush out extra oils from the edges of your lids using warm water and no-tears baby shampoo.
• Antibiotic treatment: Your ophthalmologist may prescribe erythromycin ophthalmic ointment or antibiotic eye drops for 7-10 days. Systemic antibiotics are sometimes used when local antibiotics are ineffective or when the infection is not localized.
• Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief: Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and discomfort.
• Surgery to drain the area: Surgical incision and drainage may be advised if medicinal treatment does not relieve your stye. This procedure is frequently performed in the doctor's office under local anesthesia.
• Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL): This is a form of heat therapy that involves light with specific wavelengths to stimulate the meibomian glands and reduce inflammation around the eyes. Depending on the severity of the meibomitis, several sessions may be required.

There are the following tips that will reduce the duration of a stye and prevent recurrences:

• A stye can be treated and cured quicker when you apply a warm compress to the eye.
• Don't wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the area has healed.
• Try warm tea bags; they help reduce swelling around the affected area of the stye.
• Avoid popping, squeezing, or picking at a stye, as this can lead to further irritation and infection, prolonging the healing process.
• Gentle massage and light pressure can help encourage the stye to drain on its own.

It is extremely rare for any complication to occur with respect to the development of a stye. Possible complications are discussed below:

• Chalazion (meibomian cyst)
  A stye occurs when the meibomian gland, which secretes sebum to moisturize the eye, becomes inflamed and congested. Stye formation inside the eyelid on a regular basis may result in cyst formation near the aperture of the meibomian gland.
• Preseptal or periorbital cellulitis
  Since a stye is a bacterial infection, if left untreated or only partially treated, it can spread to the surrounding tissues around the eye, including the periorbital tissues. This type of infection is known as preseptal or periorbital cellulitis, which causes the skin around the eye to become red and swollen. Antibiotics are essential to treat this condition.
• Orbital cellulitis
  If preseptal cellulitis progresses further inward, it can cause orbital cellulitis. Given the severity of the illness and the seriousness of the condition, hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics may be necessary. It may require immediate surgery to drain the pus.

Alternative therapies include:

• Bloodletting therapy: This technique aids in eliminating “Heat” and Qi/Blood stagnation, which can help recover from a stye.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting finely pointed needles into specific areas of the body known as acupuncture points. Applying gentle pressure using your fingertips on the infraorbital foramen and near the base of the thumb can help alleviate the symptoms of a stye and provide relief from pain and inflammation. While styes usually resolve on their own, acupuncture may speed recovery and lessen symptoms. It is believed that the needles stimulate specific nerves and muscles, which in turn release natural pain-relieving hormones in the body. Note: To support acupuncture treatment, maintaining a healthy diet is recommended. Hot, stimulating foods such as coffee and hot peppers should be avoided.

A stye can significantly impact a person's quality of life, both physically and emotionally.

Here are some of the ways a stye can impact your quality of life:

• Physical impact: A stye can cause pain, redness, and swelling, making it uncomfortable to open or close the affected eye. This can interfere with daily activities such as reading, working, and driving. In some cases, a stye may also cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light, further affecting a person's ability to perform tasks.
• Emotional impact: A stye can lead to self-consciousness and embarrassment, particularly if it is visible to others. People with styes may feel uncomfortable interacting with others or may avoid social situations altogether. Additionally, the discomfort and inconvenience of a stye may lead to feelings of frustration and irritability.

While a stye is usually a minor condition that resolves on its own, seeking prompt treatment and practicing good eye hygiene can help to prevent styes and minimize their impact on daily life.