A stye is a common and often painful eyelid condition that appears as a red, swollen bump along the eyelid margin or near the eyelashes. Many patients search for help when a stye suddenly appears, becomes tender, or interferes with blinking or vision.
At our Miami Beach optometry clinic, Dr. Rachel Shlomov, OD provides prompt evaluation and treatment for styes, as well as care for underlying eyelid conditions that cause styes to recur repeatedly. Patients from Miami Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, and throughout Miami often seek care when a stye is not improving or keeps coming back.
What is a stye?
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is an acute infection or inflammation of an oil gland or hair follicle in the eyelid. It is usually caused by bacterial overgrowth, most commonly Staphylococcus species.
Styes can occur on the outer eyelid (external stye) or the inner eyelid (internal stye) and often develop quickly.
What does a stye look and feel like?
A stye typically presents as:
- A red, swollen bump on the eyelid
- Localized tenderness or pain
- Sensitivity when blinking
- Eyelid swelling
- Tearing or irritation
- A white or yellow “head” in some cases
Styes may resemble pimples and can be very uncomfortable, especially in the first few days.
What causes styes?
Styes develop when oil glands along the eyelid margin become blocked and infected. Common contributing factors include:
- Blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation)
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Poor lid hygiene
- Touching or rubbing the eyes
- Contact lens wear without proper hygiene
- Stress or illness that weakens immune defenses
Patients who experience frequent styes often have an underlying eyelid condition that needs to be addressed.
Stye vs. chalazion, what’s the difference?
Although they are often confused, styes and chalazia are not the same.
A stye is an acute, often painful infection.
A chalazion is a chronic, usually painless blockage of an oil gland that may persist after a stye resolves.
Recurrent chalazia or unresolved styes warrant professional evaluation.
How are styes treated?
Many mild styes improve with warm compresses, which help soften blocked oil glands and promote drainage. However, not all styes resolve on their own.
When symptoms are severe, worsening, or persistent, professional treatment may be necessary. Treatment can include prescription medications to reduce infection or inflammation, in-office lid therapies, or evaluation for underlying eyelid disease.
Importantly, styes should not be squeezed or popped, as this can worsen infection and delay healing.
When should you see an eye doctor for a stye?
You should seek professional care if:
- The stye is very painful or worsening
- Swelling spreads to the eyelid or surrounding tissue
- Vision becomes blurry
- The stye does not improve after several days
- Styes recur frequently
- A lump remains after redness and pain subside
Persistent or recurrent styes often indicate underlying blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction that requires targeted treatment.
How underlying eyelid disease contributes to repeat styes
Many patients who experience frequent styes also have chronic eyelid inflammation such as blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction. These conditions cause oil glands to clog repeatedly, creating an environment where bacteria thrive.
Treating the root cause is essential to preventing future styes. Treatments for the root cause include Blephex, Optilight IPL, and Optiplus RF. By clearing any existing Blepharitis and treating inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction, we are able to prevent future styes. Treating the underlying cause is our mission here at Miami Eye Doctor.