A stye or a hordeolum usually appears as a red and often sore bump on the edge of your eyelid. It may be quite small or in extreme cases, can get quite large. A stye is actually a bacterial infection which develops at the base of the eyelash, referred to as an external stye or in the tiny lubricating oil glands under the eyelid, called an internal stye.
Aside from the bump you may see, other symptoms of a stye will likely include:
- Watering eyes
- Irritated eyes or light sensitivity
- A feeling of discomfort like scratching when you blink
Anyone can develop a stye. They generally occur quite quickly and are usually quite short in duration rarely lasting more than a week or two. Caused by bacteria, stye’s may be contagious, however as long as you don’t share pillows, washcloths or touch your eye and someone else’s eye, you will likely not spread it.
While most styes heal on their own within a matter of days, you can help it along by keeping your hands off your eyes and washed and applying hot compresses to your eye to reduce pain and swelling and promote healing as well.
A similar condition is known as a chalazion. Formed when a oil gland does not drain, it is not caused by a bacterial infection however, a stye which does not drain may become a chalazion.
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Alpine Eye Care is a Northern Michigan Eye Care Provider located in Grayling, Gaylord and Cheboygan. Here to help our patients see better, we provide a variety of eye care services ranging from annual check-ups to cosmetic procedures and other procedures to improve your vision. Accepting new patients, we invite you to contact us today at 1.877.SEE.2020 to find out more or to schedule an appointment today. You may also schedule an appointment online here.
Take care of your eyes.