What is a Stye?

What is a Stye?

A stye-also called a Hordeolum-is a red, sore lump near the edge of the eyelid that grows from the base of your eyelash or under the eyelid. Most styes are caused by a bacterial infection. There are two kinds of styes:

• External Hordeolum: A stye that begins at the base of your eyelash often from an infection in the hair follicle that looks like a pimple.
• Internal Hordeolum: A stye inside your eyelid that is caused by an infection in an oil-producing gland in your eyelid.

You can also get a stye if you have blepharitis-an inflammation of your eyelids- that makes your eyelids at the base of the eyelashes red and swollen. When you first get a stye, your eyelid is probably red and tender to the touch. Your eye may also feel sore and scratchy.

 There are a number of ways your doctor can treat a stye including warm compresses, antibiotics or in office surgery if the other treatments aren’t helping. Never squeeze stye!

If you or someone you know has a stye please schedule an appointment at Outlook Eyecare, Monroe Township, 609-409-2777 or Outlook Eyecare, Princeton, NJ, 609-419-1920, or visit Outlook Eyecare or Facebook.

Outlook Eyecare is a comprehensive eye care practice staffed by NJ ophthalmologists and eye specialists located at 5 Centre Drive, Suite 1B, Monroe Township, NJ 08831 (P) 609-409-2777 and 100 Canal Pointe Boulevard, Suite #100, Princeton, NJ 08831 (P) 609-419-1920-an affiliate of Prism Vision Group.