Have you ever wondered “Why do I keep getting styes?” They hurt, they are annoying, and they might take you out of your contact lenses for a few days. Styes go by the name of internal hordeolum, styes or chalazion (the hardened version). There is another condition called an external hordeolum, but they are usually more mild because they occur in the sweat gland instead of the oil glands.
The small oil glands that run up and down the eyelid called meibomian glands. These express meibum oils, which come out right behind your eyelashes onto the water line. This oil is so important for the tear film, and if you are getting styes then we have a dysfunction in this process. The oils become too thick to flow freely onto the surface of the eye. Meanwhile, bacteria is introduced into the gland, which leads to the localized infection.
Bacteria tends to overgrow on the eyelashes, which is typically how it is introduced to the surface of the meibomian glands.
Hot to treat a new stye:
- Hot compresses help to thin out the oil and get the blockage free from the gland.
- Gently massage the eyelid if it is not painful.
- A visit to an eye doctor and the right antibiotics will quickly clear the stye
Never try to pop the stye, as this can spread the infection to the surrounding tissue and it can get serious. This condition is called cellulitis – the tissue becomes swollen, red, and painful. If left untreated it can spread to neighboring tissues and become widespread.
How can you prevent styes from forming in the future? If you have frequent styes, its likely that you have chronic meibomian gland dysfunction. Your eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) will be able to address this condition. A strong physician-strength omega-3 is effective at thinning the oils in the gland and have been proven to prevent the infections. A doctor-prescribed spray can help reduce the bacteria load on the eyelashes and the surface of the eye.
In our office, we offer an in-office treatment system to reduce bacteria called ZEST. Then, this treatment can be maintained with Zocular / Zocushield products.
Left untreated, a chalazion can form. Most patients describe it as a non-painful hard ball left behind after the infection has resolved. Sometimes it can drain over time, but the most common resolution is that a surgeon will remove it. The procedure is in-office and relatively quick. Recovery is minimal and most people can get back to work the next day or later that week.