Styes or External Hordeolum

An External hordeolum

Sty  is an acute small staphylococcal abscess of a lash follicle and its associated gland of Zeis or moll.

Symptoms:

1. sty are  redness, tenderness, and pain in the affected area.
2. The eye may feel irritated or “scratchy.”
3. Later  swelling, discomfort , watering of the eye, and sensitivity to light.
4. small, yellowish point at the center of the bump that develops as pus expands in the area.

Signs:

• Tender Inflamed swelling in the lid Margin, which points anteriorly thought the skin.
• More than one lesion may be present and occasionally minute abscess may involve the entire lid margin.
• In severe case a mild preseptal cellulitis may be present.

Treatment:

1. No treatment is required in most cases because styes frequently resove spontaneously or discharge anteriorly
2. Hot compresses
3. Epilation
4. Systemic Antibiotics may be necessary.

Complications:

• Progression to Chalazion
  
• disruption of lash growth,
• lid deformity or lid fistula.
• Eye Cellulitis

Prevention

Stye prevention is closely related to proper hygiene. Proper hand washing can not only reduce the risks of developing styes, but all other types of infections.

Upon awakening, application of a warm washcloth to the eyelids for one to two minutes may be beneficial in decreasing the occurrence of styes by liquefying the contents of the oil glands of the eyelid and thereby preventing blockage. Some studies suggest oral flaxseed supplementation to prevent the occurrence of styes.

In order to prevent developing styes it is recommended to never share cosmetics or cosmetic eye tools with other people. Women are recommended to remove makeup every night before going to sleep and discard old or contaminated eye makeup.