Eye Styes or Hordeolum
What Causes Eye Styes
Styes are bacterial infections that lead to the obstruction of oil producing glands around the eyelashes or eyelids. Styes are seen as small bumps on the eyelids. Styes (also called "sty") are usually harmless and will go away after several days on their own as your body fights the infection. There are some cases where surgical draining of the stye or the application of antibiotic drops may be required. To prevent a stye in the eye; always washing hands before touching the eyes and keeping good eye hygiene, especially for contact users.
Eye Stye Symptoms
- Redness accompanied by slight pain and tenderness
- Swelling of a certain area which usually appears as a bump
- Tearing of the eye
- Discomfort when blinking
- Sensitivity to light
Eye Styes Treatment
- Apply warm compresses for several minutes 3 to 4 times daily
- Application of prescribed antibiotic drops may also be used to help fight the infection
- Surgical drainage of the stye may also be necessary if the stye is not responding to treatment
[Page updated 1/2011]
