Find Relief from Styes with Expert Eye Care
A sore, swollen eyelid can make even simple daily tasks uncomfortable. At Della Optique, Dr. Della Chow provides thorough eye exams to diagnose and treat styes quickly — easing discomfort, preventing complications, and keeping your eyes healthy and comfortable.
Stye (Hordeolum): What It Is, Causes & Treatment
A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a painful red bump on the eyelid caused by an infected oil gland or eyelash follicle. Most styes improve with home care, especially warm compresses, but some need optometrist treatment if they worsen, affect vision, or do not improve.
If you have a persistent or painful eyelid bump, Dr. Della Optometry in Vancouver can examine it and recommend the right treatment.
What Is a Stye?
A stye is an infection in the eyelid tissue, usually near the eyelashes or within the oil glands that help keep the eye surface comfortable. It looks like a pimple, boil, or tender bump on the eyelid. The medical name is hordeolum.
A stye is not a pimple on the eyeball. It forms in the eyelid structures, either in an eyelash follicle or in one of the meibomian oil glands. Most styes are caused by bacteria.
What Does a Stye Look and Feel Like?
Common signs and symptoms of a stye include:
- A red or discoloured bump on the eyelid
- Tenderness or pain at the bump site
- Eyelid swelling
- Watery eye or tearing
- Crusting along the eyelid
- A scratchy or foreign-body sensation
- Light sensitivity in some cases
- A white or yellow head may appear as the stye comes closer to draining
Styes usually do not cause permanent vision loss. Vision may feel temporarily blurry if swelling or tearing interferes with the tear film. However, vision changes should still be evaluated, especially if they are sudden, significant, or worsening.
Types of Styes: External vs Internal
External Stye
An external stye forms on the outer eyelid edge, often starting in an eyelash follicle. It is usually visible and tender and is the most common type.
Internal Stye
An internal stye forms inside the eyelid, usually involving an infected meibomian gland. It can feel deeper and more painful than an external stye and may take longer to drain or resolve.
|
Type |
Where It Forms |
Common Signs |
Typical Next Step |
|
External stye |
Outer eyelid/lash line |
Visible tender bump |
Warm compresses and lid hygiene |
|
Internal stye |
Inside eyelid |
Deeper pain and swelling |
Warm compresses; see optometrist if worsening |
What Causes a Stye?
Most styes are caused by bacteria infecting a blocked eyelid oil gland or eyelash follicle. Common contributing factors include:
- Touching eyes with unwashed hands
- Contact lens handling without proper handwashing
- Sleeping in eye makeup
- Using old or shared cosmetics
- Blepharitis (chronic eyelid inflammation)
- Rosacea, acne, dandruff, or other inflammatory skin conditions
- Previous styes or recurrent eyelid inflammation
Recurrent styes may signal blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, both of which an optometrist can evaluate during an eye exam.
How to Treat a Stye at Home
The best first step for most styes is a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day. Keep the eyelid clean, avoid makeup and contact lenses, and do not squeeze or pop the bump.
Use Warm Compresses
- Wash hands before starting
- Use a clean washcloth or microwaveable eye compress
- Keep it warm, not hot
- Apply for 10 to 15 minutes
- Repeat 3 to 4 times daily
- Gently massage the eyelid only if comfortable; never force drainage
Keep the Eyelid Clean
- Gently clean the lid margin with mild soap or approved eyelid wipes
- Avoid scrubbing aggressively
- Use a clean towel or cloth each time
Avoid Eye Makeup and Contact Lenses
Stop using eye makeup until the stye heals. Replace old mascara or eyeliner if contamination is possible. Switch from contact lenses to glasses until the stye is gone. Contact lens wearers should be especially cautious if redness, pain, discharge, or light sensitivity develops.
Do Not Pop or Squeeze a Stye
Squeezing a stye can spread infection, worsen swelling, or push the infection deeper into the eyelid. Let drainage happen naturally, or have an eye care professional drain it if needed.
Can You Get Rid of a Stye Overnight?
Usually, no. A stye rarely disappears overnight. Warm compresses may reduce discomfort and help the stye start draining, but most styes improve over several days and often resolve within one to two weeks. Be cautious of any advice involving popping, harsh chemicals, or putting unsafe substances near the eye.
If the swelling is getting worse, your vision is affected, or you need treatment before an important event, book an eye exam rather than trying to force the stye to drain.
How Long Does a Stye Last?
Many styes improve within a few days of self-care and most resolve within one to two weeks. Internal styes may take longer. A bump that lingers, becomes firm, or stops being painful may have developed into a chalazion. Persistent or recurrent bumps should be examined by an optometrist.
Stye vs Chalazion: How to Tell the Difference
Styes and chalazia are both eyelid bumps, but they have different causes and characteristics.
|
Feature |
Stye |
Chalazion |
|
Main cause |
Bacterial infection |
Blocked oil gland |
|
Pain |
Usually painful and tender |
Usually painless or mildly tender |
|
Onset |
Often sudden |
Often gradual |
|
Location |
Often near lash line |
Often deeper in eyelid |
|
Treatment |
Warm compresses; sometimes antibiotics or drainage |
Warm compresses; sometimes in-office treatment |
A stye can sometimes turn into a chalazion if inflammation remains after the infection settles.
Is a Stye Contagious?
A stye itself is not usually contagious like pink eye or a cold. However, the bacteria involved can spread through contaminated hands, towels, pillowcases, makeup, or contact lens handling. Wash hands frequently, avoid touching the bump, and do not share towels or cosmetics while you have a stye.
For more details, read our article on whether styes are contagious.
When Should You See an Optometrist for a Stye?
Book an eye exam if:
- The stye is not improving after 48 hours of home care
- Pain or swelling is getting worse
- Swelling spreads across the eyelid, cheek, or face
- The eye itself becomes very red
- You have vision changes
- You have significant light sensitivity
- You have fever or feel unwell
- The bump keeps coming back
- You get several styes per year
- You wear contact lenses and have redness, pain, discharge, or reduced vision
- The eyelid bump lasts longer than 2 weeks or becomes firm and persistent
At Dr. Della Optometry, your eye doctor in Kitsilano can examine the eyelid, confirm whether the bump is a stye or another condition, and recommend the right treatment if home care is not enough
Professional Stye Treatment Options
When home care is not sufficient, an eye doctor in Kitsilano may recommend:
- Prescription antibiotic ointment or drops when appropriate
- Oral antibiotics if there are signs of spreading infection
- In-office drainage for persistent or large styes
- Evaluation for blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, rosacea, or recurrent eyelid inflammation
Not every stye needs antibiotics. Many improve with conservative care alone.
How to Prevent Styes From Coming Back
- Wash hands before touching eyes
- Remove makeup before sleep every night
- Replace old eye makeup regularly
- Do not share makeup or towels
- Follow contact lens hygiene and replacement schedules
- Manage blepharitis with an optometrist-approved lid routine
- Use warm compresses preventively if recommended by your doctor
- Seek care for frequent recurrence
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers
What is a stye?
A stye is a painful bump on the eyelid caused by an infected oil gland or eyelash follicle. It is also called a hordeolum.
What causes a stye?
Most styes are caused by bacteria infecting a blocked eyelid oil gland or eyelash follicle. Risk factors include touching your eyes with unwashed hands, poor contact lens hygiene, old makeup, blepharitis, and rosacea.
How do you get rid of a stye?
Use a warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day, keep the eyelid clean, avoid makeup and contact lenses, and do not squeeze the bump. See an optometrist if it worsens or does not improve.
Can you get rid of a stye overnight?
Usually, no. Warm compresses may reduce discomfort and encourage natural drainage, but most styes take several days to improve and may take one to two weeks to fully resolve.
How long does a stye last?
Many styes improve within a few days and resolve within one to two weeks. If a stye lasts longer, worsens, or keeps coming back, schedule an eye exam.
Should you pop a stye?
No. Popping or squeezing a stye can spread infection and make swelling worse. Let it drain naturally or have it treated by an eye care professional if needed.
Is a stye contagious?
A stye itself is not usually contagious, but bacteria from the area can spread through hands, towels, pillowcases, makeup, or contact lenses. Wash your hands and avoid sharing personal items.
Can you wear contact lenses with a stye?
It is best to switch to glasses until the stye has healed. Contact lenses can irritate the eyelid and may become contaminated with bacteria.
What is the difference between a stye and a chalazion?
A stye is usually a painful infected bump near the eyelid edge. A chalazion is usually a slower-growing, less painful bump caused by a blocked oil gland.
When should I see an optometrist for a stye?
See an optometrist if the stye affects vision, worsens after a few days, spreads beyond the eyelid, causes significant pain, keeps coming back, or does not improve with warm compresses.
Book an Eye Exam for a Persistent or Painful Stye in Vancouver
Most styes are manageable at home, but if yours is worsening, recurrent, affecting vision, or not responding to warm compresses, professional care can help. Dr. Della Optometry in Kitsilano offers eyelid evaluations for adults and children.