Medical names: external hordeolum, internal hordeolum, meibomian stye
Other names: eyelash stye, eyelid stye
Styes are infections of the glands around the eyelashes and under the upper and lower eyelids that may be associated with stress or eye conditions. Eyelash styes are less painful and clear up with less effort than those found within the eyelid. Eyelid styes and other stubborn styes usually require treatment by a doctor. Good hygiene and eyecare is key in healing any stye.
What are styes?
Styes are infections of the glands around eyelashes or inside the eyelid. Redness, tenderness or pain are usually the first symptoms they cause. These are followed by swelling in some or all of the eyelid. The eye may water, feel irritated and may become sensitive to light.
After a few days, eyelash styes usually come to a head and drain, thus relieving the pain. The whole process should take about a week. Eyelid styes are deeper, more painful, usually do not drain on their own and often recur.
Styes are usually caused by an infection of staphylococcal bateria. They are known to occur during times of stress and may be associated with other eye conditions, such as blepharitis.
Eyelash styes can be treated with a warm compress for ten minutes, four times a day to bring them to a head more quickly. After about two days, the stye will drain naturally and should be kept moist. If the stye is squeezed for drainage, the eye should be thoroughly cleaned. Antibiotic oinment may be used until symptoms have cleared. To prevent further infection, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes.
Styes inside the eyelid usually need to be lanced under sterile conditions by a doctor. Oral antibiotics are prescribed for styes that are very large, abscessed under the eyelid or not responding to any other kind of treatment.
Contact lenses should not be worn during infection or drainage.
If a stye lasts for more than three days or the infection appears to be spreading, consult your doctor. You may have a chalazion (see Chalazion) or some other condition that may require further examination.
Styes may not look very attractive, but they are certainly not a major threat to your eyes or your health!
For more information
http://www.eyesearch.com/eye.disease.glossary.htm
http://www.adam.com/ency/article/001009.htm
http://www.eyesearch.com/previous.questions.8.htm
http://www.healthyideas.com/children/mom/
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home/ch220.htm
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section8/
http://members.aol.com/osleye/Conditions/stye.htm
http://www.crha-health.ab.ca/hlthconn/
http://www.48hours.net/48hrs/topics/STYE.htm
