A stye, also known as a hordeolum or chalazion, is a red, painful bump that forms on the eyelid and occurs when an oil gland at the base of an eyelash becomes infected or blocked. Many of us deal with styes from time to time but there are steps you can take to manage them and reduce the risk of them recurring:
Warm Compresses: Apply a warm compress to the affected eyelid several times a day for 10-15 minutes each session. The Bruder Mask is great at maintaining heat and sterility. This can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and promote drainage.
Avoid Squeezing or Popping: It’s important to resist the urge to squeeze or pop the stye, as this can worsen the infection and lead to further complications.
Maintain Good Eyelid Hygiene: Keep the affected eyelid clean. Specialized eyelid hygiene wipes (Blephaclean) and cleanser (BIHOCL Spray and Blephagel) are also available for purchase at our clinic.
Avoid Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses: It’s advisable to avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses while you have a stye. Eye makeup can exacerbate the condition, and contact lenses may interfere with the healing process. Resume using them once the stye has completely healed.
Advanced Dry Eye Treatments: IPL (intense pulsed light) and Radiofrequency treatments have been a game-changer for optometrists when treating stubborn styes. These treatments will help to improve the condition of the meibomian glands, providing a pro-active approach to prevent the styes from forming in the first place.
Consult an Eye Care Professional: Most styes resolve on their own within a week or two with home care and proper hygiene practices. If the stye persists or worsens after a few days, or if it affects your vision or causes severe pain, it’s recommended to seek medical advice from an eye care professional. Dr. Leung can provide further assessment, prescribe antibiotics if necessary, or refer to an ophthalmologist for an incision/drainage procedure for more severe styes.
