Definition: A stye (hordeolum) is a red, painful, swollen, cyst-like bump of the eyelid caused by a localized inflammatory process and low grade infection. A chalazion is a nodule of scar tissue that can remain after a stye resolves.

 

Causes: A stye usually results from a clogged or malfunctioning oil gland in the eyelid. Bacteria may cause a small infection around the clogged gland, creating a painful, swollen abscess in the lid. This may resolve without further problems, but sometimes causes a nodule of scar tissue or inflammatory material to form in the same area, which is called a chalazion. Some patients with blepharitis or ocular rosacea may have recurrent styes or chalazia.

 

Symptoms: A stye usually develops over a few days into a swollen, red, tender bump on the eyelid. Often, the lid will droop because of the associated swelling. Sometimes blurry vision also occurs. A chalazion may remain after the stye resolves, or may occasionally form gradually in the lid, without a previous stye in the same area. The bump formed by a chalazion is usually not very painful or red, but may be mildly tender. Both a stye and chalazion can cause mild blurry vision from the bump pressing on the eye.

 

Treatment: A stye is treated with warm compresses and over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Warm compresses should be used several times daily, and help to open up the obstructed oil gland in the lid. If the stye hasn’t resolved in a week or two, or, if it grows larger, the redness and swelling spread beyond the lid onto the face or cheek, or you develop a fever, you should contact your doctor, as antibiotics or occasionally, surgical drainage of the stye may be needed. A chalazion may resolve on its own over may weeks or months without treatment. However, a chronic, unresolving chalazion may need to be removed with a minor surgical procedure.

 

Prognosis: Styes and chalazion are usually not sight or life threatening, and often resolve on their own with simple treatment measures. Those requiring surgical excision usually heal without further problems.