Sty
(Stye, Hordeolum)

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

• What is a sty?
• What are the signs and symptoms of a sty?
• Who is most susceptible to the development of a sty?
• What is the treatment for a sty?
• What is the prognosis (outcome) of a sty?
• Are there any potential complications resulting from a sty?
• Can a sty be prevented?
• Related sty (stye) article:
  Sty (stye) - on eMedicineHealth

What is a sty?

A sty (sometimes spelled stye) is a tender, painful red bump located at the base of an eyelash or under or inside the eyelid. The medical term for a sty is hordeolum (plural, hordeola).

A sty results from an acute infection of the oil glands of the eyelid (meibomian glands) that occurs after these glands have become clogged. A sty also may arise from an infected hair follicle at the base of an eyelash. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for 90%-95% of cases of styes. Staph aureus is frequently found on the skin. A sty can develop as a complication of blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid).

The term external hordeolum has been used to refer to a sty that develops at the base of an eyelash involving a hair follicle of the eyelid, whereas the term internal hordeolum refers to a sty arising due to an inflamed meibomian gland under the eyelid.

A sty is sometimes confused with a chalazion (see below), which is a cyst or a specific type of scarring (due to chronic inflammation) arising in the meibomian glands of the eyelid. In contrast to a sty, a chalazion is usually painless.

What are the signs and symptoms of a sty?

The first symptoms of a sty are generally redness, tenderness, and pain in the affected area. The eye may feel irritated or "scratchy." Later symptoms can include swelling, discomfort during blinking of the eye, watering of the eye, and sensitivity to light. A common sign of a sty is a small, yellowish spot at the center of the bump that develops as pus expands in the area.

Who is most susceptible to the development of a sty?

Styes are very common. People of all ages can develop a sty, and males and females are equally affected. There is a slight increase in incidence of styes during the third to fifth decades of life. People with certain chronic conditions (diabetes mellitus, chronic blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid), seborrhea, and chronic debilitating illnesses) are more prone to develop styes than the general population. In many susceptible people, stress seems to trigger the development of a sty. Studies have shown that those who have high levels of blood lipids are more susceptible to blockages in the oil glands, including those of the eyelid and, therefore, are more likely to develop a sty.

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