Stye
introduction
A stye is a small, painful lump (cyst) on the inside or outside of the eyelid.
As styes are usually caused by a bacterial infection, doctors sometimes refer to them as infected eyelid cysts.
The medical name for a stye is a hordeolum.
Styes usually affect one eye, but it's possible to get them in both eyes or to have more than one stye in the same eye. Your vision shouldn't be affected.
This topic covers:
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016
introduction
Find out about styes, including what causes them, what you can do to treat them and when to see your GP.
Symptoms of a stye
The main symptoms of a stye are: a painful yellow lump on or in the eyelid redness of the eye or eyelid a watery eye, in some cases Styes often get better without treatment, particularly after t
Types of stye
There are two general types of stye: an external stye (external hordeolum) a swelling that develops along the edge of your eyelid; it may turn into a yellow pus-filled spot that's painful to touch
What causes a stye?
Styes are usually caused by a staphylococcal infection . Staphylococcus bacteria often live on the skin without causing any harm. External styes A stye on the outside of your eyelid may be caused by
Treating a stye
Most styes get better without treatment within one to three weeks. In the meantime, the treatments below should help ease your symptoms. Warm compress A warm compress is a cloth or flannel warmed wi
When to see your GP
See your GP if you've tried the above measures and your stye hasn't got better. Don't try to remove the eyelash or burst the stye yourself. Referral Your GP may refer you to an ophthalmologist (a
Complications
Complications of styes are uncommon and they're rarely serious. Meibomian cysts Meibomian cysts (chalazions)tend to be painless unless they become infected. If they do, you may need antibiotics (u
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