A Stye is a lump that forms near the edge of the eyelid where the eyelashes grow. It may also grow inside the eyelid but rarely outside it. The lump is usually red and painful.
A stye is caused by an infection in the follicle at the base of the eyelash. It is usually brought about by staphylococcal bacteria. While the bacteria are normally harmless, 
they can cause infection when the skin is damaged. A stye is also known medically as a hordeolum and should not be confused with a chalazion. A chalazion is a non-infected lump in the eye lid, which is discussed in detail at: www.chalazion.com.au
Styes do not usually damage the eyelids or the eyes and they normally clear up in a few 
days or around two weeks even without treatment. However, they may spread and result into more styes. When the entire eyelid is infected, medical treatment such as antibiotics will be required.
It is also imperative not to try and break the stye, as significant reinfection can occur. This can in turn lead to scarring and damaging of the eyelid.
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Symptoms
Here are some signs to watch out for to determine if a stye is forming:
1. Development of a red, painful and tender lump on the eyelid;
2. Growth of the lump which may have a white or yellow top. This would indicate that there is pus in the stye;
3. Itchy eyes;
4. Irritated and watery eye with a feeling that something is in the eye;
5. Normally, the swelling subsides by itself. In some instances, the surface over the stye may burst and release the pus;
6. Lump goes away quickly if the pus is drained out of the stye, otherwise, it might take time before the swelling subsides.
For those that prefer video description click on the screen below for an audio visual description of styes.
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Treatment
Here are some possible home and medical remedies that may be undertaken to treat styes:
1. Hot compress placed on top of the eyelid for several minutes and the affected area should be massaged gently. This should be done for about five minutes and as often as three to four times per day. This will help relieve the pain and get rid of the infection. It will also help unclog the follicle and expedite the rupture of the lump and draining of the pus;
2. Paracetamol may be taken to relieve the pain;
3. Application of antibiotic ointments on the stye;
4. Oral antibiotics;
5. A doctor might need to prick or cut open the stye if it does not go away.
One should not attempt to drain out the pus from the stye. Otherwise, the pus might be squeezed into the tissue beside the stye and cause the infection to spread.
To minimize the risk of spreading the infection, the stye should not be rubbed, touched or squeezed. Used hot compress should be washed or disposed of properly. A stye may be contagious and it can spread by touch. Thus, hands should be washed frequently to ensure proper hygiene.
In case of doubt or if the stye appears to get worse, it would be best to consult your therapeutic optometrist for advice.
Call us on (02) 9290 1899 or BOOK ONLINE.
If you are not in Sydney email us below and we should be able to refer you to a therapeutic optometrist in most places of Australia that should be able to help you.
Medical assistance may be required in the following instances:
1. Swelling of the entire eyelid;
2. Eye becomes very sore;
3. There is redness on the white part of the eye;
4. Discharge from the eye is observed;
5. Stye recurs;
6. Child experiences headache, tiredness, raised temperature, loss of appetite or feels unwell.
