What is a Stye?

A stye, also known by its medical term as a hordeolum, is a painful bump that grows on the eyelid’s edge. It is formed when an oil gland near the eyelashes is blocked and gets infected. This condition is very common and can be managed at home, although in some cases it may require treatment from an eye doctor. Consult an ophthalmologist in Brooklyn and have your eyes checked regularly. You can also contact Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center.

Having other medical conditions like dandruff, rosacea, diabetes, and high cholesterol, makes you more at risk of developing a stye. A stye is also more common in adults than in children because the adult’s oil gland is thicker and more prone to blockage.

Types

There are two types of stye:

  • External styes – these are the type that forms on the outer part of either the lower or upper lid of your eyes.
  • Internal styes – these are the type that forms on the inner part of your eyelids.

Symptoms

One of the very common signs of a stye is having a red painful swelling on your eyelid. A stye does not affect both of your eyes at the same time. Although it is possible to have two or more stye in one eye at the same time. Other symptoms may include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Tearing, more than the usual
  • A burning sensation in the eye
  • Crusting around the eyelids
  • Itchiness in the eyes
  • Unusual discharge of mucus from the eyes
  • Tenderness
  • A feeling of discomfort when blinking
  • Being sensitive to light
  • The feeling like there is something in the eye

Treatments

A stye usually lasts for about one to a couple of weeks and then goes away on its own. But in certain cases that it doesn’t, you can consult with your primary care doctor or eye doctor for proper treatment.

You can try some home care remedies to treat your stye better and faster. Here are some of the tips that you can do to manage your stye at home:

  • Warm compresses – you can apply a warm washcloth to the affected eye to reduce the itching and swelling
  • Clean your eyelids – gently wipe away the discharges in the eyes, just make sure that you use clean water with a mild soapy solution.

If you have a stye, make sure that you prevent to:

  • Touch or rub your eyes
  • Pop or squeeze your stye
  • Wear eye makeup
  • Wear contact lenses

If after 48 to 72 hours of doing the self-care methods and the swelling and pain in your eyes do not subside, you should go to your medical practitioner for medical treatment.

Keeping your eye healthy is as important as keeping your body healthy. If you notice you or your loved one has problems with your eyes, consult your eye doctor immediately. You can visit Doral Health and Wellness Ophthalmology Center at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, where our specialists treat a wide range of ophthalmic problems. You can also schedule an appointment by calling us at 1-347-384-5690 or visiting our website at https://www.ophthalmologybrooklyn.com.