Eye Stye
An eye stye (hordeolum) is a painful, red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or hair follicle, resembling a pimple on the eyelid.
Definition
An eye stye (hordeolum) is a painful, red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or hair follicle, resembling a pimple on the eyelid.
In-Depth
What You Need to Know
Styes are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and can occur on the outer eyelid margin (external hordeolum) or inside the eyelid (internal hordeolum). A chalazion is a similar-looking bump caused by a blocked oil gland without active infection — it is painless and chronic. Treatment for styes includes warm compresses (10-15 minutes, 4-6 times daily), gentle eyelid hygiene, and avoiding squeezing or popping. Most styes resolve within 1-2 weeks. Antibiotic ointment or drops may be prescribed if infection spreads. A stye that does not resolve in 2-3 weeks, recurs frequently, or affects vision should be evaluated — an in-office incision and drainage may be needed. Risk factors include blepharitis, rosacea, poor eyelid hygiene, and touching eyes with unwashed hands. Contact lens wearers should switch to glasses until the stye resolves.
Calls & Questions
What Patients Ask
Common phone questions about eye stye — and how Front Desk handles scheduling and call routing automatically.
Common Patient Questions
- 1How do I treat a stye at home?
- 2Should I see a doctor for a stye?
- 3Can I wear contacts with a stye?
- 4Why do I keep getting styes?
How Front Desk Helps Your Practice
Front Desk advises callers to discontinue contact lens wear, schedules appointments for persistent styes or recurrent styes, and routes urgent symptoms like vision changes or spreading redness appropriately.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eye stye.
An eye stye (hordeolum) is a painful, red bump on the eyelid caused by a bacterial infection of an oil gland or hair follicle, resembling a pimple on the eyelid. Styes are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and can occur on the outer eyelid margin (external hordeolum) or inside the eyelid (internal hordeolum). A chalazion is a similar-looking bump caused by a blocked oil gland without active infection — it is painless and chronic.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk advises callers to discontinue contact lens wear, schedules appointments for persistent styes or recurrent styes, and routes urgent symptoms like vision changes or spreading redness appropriately.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk advises callers to discontinue contact lens wear, schedules appointments for persistent styes or recurrent styes, and routes urgent symptoms like vision changes or spreading redness appropriately.
Your optometry provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk advises callers to discontinue contact lens wear, schedules appointments for persistent styes or recurrent styes, and routes urgent symptoms like vision changes or spreading redness appropriately.
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