- Medically Reviewed by Mr Mfazo Hove Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Author: Chris Dunnington
- Published: April 16, 2025
A stye is a common and often painful condition that affects the eyelid. Also known as a hordeolum, it appears as a small, red lump near the edge of the eyelid or inside the eyelid itself. While styes are usually harmless and resolve on their own, they can cause discomfort and interfere with daily life. At Blue Fin Vision® Eye Clinic, primarily located in Harley Street, London, we specialise in diagnosing and treating styes with expert care tailored to your needs.
This article answers the question what is a stye? and provides an overview of its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What Is a Stye?
A stye is an inflamed oil gland or infected hair follicle located on the edge of the eyelid or inside the eyelid. It occurs when bacteria – most commonly Staphylococcus aureus – infects the gland or follicle, leading to swelling and redness.
There are two main types of styes:
- External Stye: Found at the base of an eyelash or along the outer edge of the eyelid.
- Internal Stye: Develops inside the eyelid due to an infected oil gland. Internal styes are often more painful than external ones.
While styes typically heal within a few days to weeks, persistent or recurrent styes may require medical attention.
Causes of Styes
Styes can develop for several reasons, often linked to bacterial infection or blocked glands. Common causes include:
- Poor Hygiene: Touching your eyes with unclean hands can transfer bacteria to the eyelid.
- Blepharitis: Chronic inflammation of the eyelids increases susceptibility to styes.
- Cosmetics: Using expired or contaminated eye makeup can introduce bacteria to the eyelid.
- Skin Conditions: Conditions like acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis can increase the risk of developing styes.
- Weakened Immune System: Health issues such as diabetes or stress can make you more prone to infections like styes.
Understanding these causes can help reduce your risk of developing styes in the future.
Symptoms of a Stye
The symptoms of a stye are usually easy to recognise and may include:
- A red bump near the edge of the eyelid or inside the eyelid (stye in eye).
- Swelling and tenderness around the affected area (stye in the eye).
- Pain when blinking or touching the eyelid (stye inside eye).
- Watery eyes or increased tearing (stye of eye).
- Crusty discharge around the eyelid.
- A sensation that something is stuck in your eye (foreign body sensation).
In most cases, styes affect only one eye at a time, but it is possible to have multiple styes simultaneously.
Treatment for Styes
Home Remedies for Styes
Most styes heal naturally within a few days to weeks without medical intervention. However, you can speed up recovery and relieve discomfort with these home remedies:
- Warm Compresses: Apply a clean washcloth soaked in warm water to the affected eye for 10–15 minutes several times a day. This helps encourage drainage and reduces swelling.
- Gentle Eyelid Hygiene: Cleanse your eyelids with warm water and mild baby shampoo to remove crusts and prevent further irritation.
- Avoid Makeup and Contact Lenses: Refrain from using eye makeup or wearing contact lenses until the stye has healed completely.
Medical Treatment for Persistent Styes
If your stye does not improve with home remedies or becomes more severe, professional treatment may be necessary:
- Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointments, drops, or oral medication if bacterial infection persists.
- Incision and Drainage: For stubborn internal styes, an ophthalmologist may perform a minor procedure under local anaesthesia to drain pus from the infected gland safely.
- Steroid Injections: In rare cases where swelling is severe, corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation.
At Blue Fin Vision® Eye Clinic on Harley Street, London, our specialists provide advanced care for persistent or recurrent styes using safe and effective techniques.
Preventing Styes
While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks of developing a stye, adopting good habits can significantly reduce your chances:
- Wash your hands regularly before touching your eyes.
- Remove makeup thoroughly before bed and avoid using expired products.
- Maintain proper hygiene for contact lenses by cleaning them as directed.
- Treat underlying conditions like blepharitis promptly to prevent recurring infections.
Our team at Blue Fin Vision® can provide tailored advice on maintaining optimal eye health.
Why Choose Blue Fin Vision® Eye Clinic?
Blue Fin Vision® provides exceptional care for all eye conditions, including styes. Here’s why patients trust us for their eye health needs:
Expertise
Our highly skilled ophthalmologists specialise in diagnosing and treating complex conditions like persistent styes.
Advanced Technology
We use state-of-the-art equipment for precise diagnosis and effective treatment.
Personalised Care
Every patient receives tailored advice and treatment plans designed around their unique needs.
Convenient Locations
Located in Harley Street, London’s renowned medical district, Essex, and Hertfordshire, our clinics offer easy access to world-class care.
Take Control of Your Eye Health Today
If you’re dealing with a painful or persistent stye that isn’t improving with home remedies, don’t wait – seek professional care at Blue Fin Vision®. Our expert team is here to provide compassionate support and advanced treatments tailored to your needs.
Book your consultation today at our Harley Street eye clinic in London – and let us help you achieve clearer vision and healthier eyes!
