Hordeolum/Chalazion (Styes)

Styes, also known as hordeolum or chalzion, occur when glands within the eyelid become clogged and infected. This can cause a bump to appear on or under your eyelid and can be extremely painful and sensitive. This condition can also become recurrent between the eyes. We urge our patients to see their eye care doctor before assuming a particular bump is a stye, because many ocular cancers and malignancies can present with very similar conditions. Once our physicians are confident it is a stye, they will recommend the appropriate treatment explained below.

Our physicians recommend regular lid hygiene (similar to treatment of blepharitis) and warm compresses. We recommend using a microwaveable neck wrap that is warm but not hot applied to the eye while closed for 10-20 minutes 2-3 times per day. If an improvement is not seen after day 2, we recommend returning to your eye doctor for a repeat evaluation.