This month a patient asked: “What is a stye?”
Dr. Patel answered:
Put simply, our eyelids have 25-30 small glands that secrete oil to combine with the aqueous portion of the tearfilm to prevent rapid evaporation. When one or a few of these glands become occluded by oily debris or even microbial debris, it is referred to as a stye. In it’s initial phases, the stye (medically, a hordeolum) is an obstructed gland, that may be infected with surface bacteria, resulting in pain and tenderness of the eyelid as well as discharge. At any given time our bodies are covered in millions of bacteria. A stye is usually the result of what is known as staphylococcal bacteria, which often live right on the surface of the skin. Although painful, styes are generally harmless to your eyeball and rarely affect your eyesight.
Once the inflammatory part of the stye resolves, it becomes a chalazion, which is a chronic, non-tender eyelid swelling that remains after the acute phase of the stye resolves. A chalazion is usually, non-infectious like a hordeolum, and is caused by the chronic blockage of tiny eyelid gland ducts that normally transport an oily substance that helps lubricate the eye.
A stye will be painful and swollen and found on the edge of the eyelid. It may also feel hot or tender. A chalazion, however, is a painless, smooth bump that usually appears in the middle of the eyelid.
Practicing good eyelid hygiene is the best way to prevent a stye. Warm compresses liquify stagnant oil and debris and allow expression of this material from the oily glands. Eyelid scrubs with commercial wipes available over-the-counter or even using a small amount of baby shampoo can keep your eyelid margins clean of bacteria and debris. If these conservative measures don’t resolve the issue, prescription drops or even a small eyelid procedure may be required.
