Overview
A stye (hordeolum) is an inflammatory condition affecting the glands in the eyelid. It is categorized into external and internal types based on the location of the affected gland.
Related Medical Field
Ophthalmology
Affected Body Part
The eye, specifically the eyelid glands.
Definition
The eyelids contain several glands, including Zeis' gland, Moll's gland, and the Meibomian gland. When an acute bacterial infection affects the Zeis or Moll glands, it results in an external stye (hordeolum externum). An infection of the Meibomian gland leads to an internal stye (hordeolum internum). Meanwhile, a chalazion is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the Meibomian gland, often not associated with bacterial infection.
Causes
The glands in the eyelid produce an oily substance that prevents tears from evaporating. When the gland's oil is not properly released, it can accumulate, leading to inflammation. If a bacterial infection—commonly caused by *Staphylococcus* bacteria—occurs, it can result in either an external or internal stye. Chalazia are generally caused by blocked gland secretions without bacterial infection, leading to chronic inflammation.
Symptoms
Since both external and internal styes are related to bacterial infections, they cause redness, pain, and swelling. Pus-filled abscesses may form under the skin or conjunctiva. In an external stye, swelling occurs at the edge of the eyelid, which becomes hard and painful to the touch. Over time, pus is expelled through the skin. Internal styes are deeper within the eyelid, often showing a yellow point of pus under the inner conjunctiva when the eyelid is turned inside out. In the case of a chalazion, a firm lump may be felt under the eyelid, but redness or pain is minimal or absent.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis can typically be made through a physical examination, including palpation of the eyelid to check for tenderness and swelling. If a lump near the eyelid edge is painful and there is swelling, a stye is suspected. The appearance of a yellow pus-filled bump under the conjunctiva suggests an internal stye. Chalazia are diagnosed based on the presence of a painless nodule without accompanying redness or pain, although in rare cases, further tests may be required to rule out malignancies like sebaceous gland carcinoma.
Treatment
Styes often heal on their own over time, but treatments can help ease symptoms and speed up recovery. These include applying warm compresses, using antibiotic eye drops or ointments, and sometimes oral antibiotics. To ensure that antibiotics effectively reach the infection site, eye drops are preferred over oral antibiotics. If an abscess forms and does not drain naturally, it may need to be lanced and drained by a doctor.
Chalazia may not require treatment if they are small and asymptomatic. However, if they become large or inflamed, treatment such as warm compresses or anti-inflammatory eye drops and ointments may help. For quicker relief, a small surgical procedure to remove the contents of the chalazion or an injection of a steroid may be considered.
Prognosis and Complications
In most cases, both styes and chalazia resolve on their own. However, if left untreated, styes can lead to the spread of infection to surrounding tissues. Once the pus drains or is surgically removed, recovery is faster, though scars may form on the skin or conjunctiva depending on where the incision was made. Small, untreated chalazia may persist and, under conditions such as stress or fatigue, can enlarge and cause a recurrent inflammatory response.
Prevention
To prevent styes and chalazia, maintaining good hygiene is essential. Hands should be washed frequently, and the eyes should be avoided unless hands are clean. If chalazia are recurrent, eyelid hygiene products may help promote proper oil drainage from the glands.
0 Comments