Styes

Background

There are two different kinds of lesions that are commonly called styes. They  result from obstruction of the different kinds of glands in the eyelid.

A hordeolum is caused by acute inflammation of the glands of Moll or Zeis  (external hordeolum) or Meibomian glands (internal hordeolum). They are  swollen, tender, and red. They may look like a pimple. The external ones occur  near the edge of the eyelid. The internal ones are on the inside edge of the lid.  They can affect both the upper and lower eyelids. They usually come on quickly,  within one day.

A chalazion is a painless, hard, larger, and flatter bump that is located on the lid  itself. It may be somewhat red. It develops as a result of obstruction of the  Meibomian glands so it can sometimes be felt on the inside of the lid. It can occur  on either the upper or lower eyelid, but is more common on the upper lid. It has a  slower onset of development and will occur develop over days to weeks.

What To Do

Conservative management with warm compresses (5 to 10 minutes four times  per day) is generally sufficient for both lesions. Eyelid massage following  compresses can also promote drainage. Topical or systemic antibiotics do not  help styes to resolve faster so are not indicated.

When to Be Concerned:

Hordeolum generally improve within 1 to 2 weeks.  

Chalazions typically improve over several months.  

If they do not improve with conservative management, your child should be  reassessed. 

Your child should also be seen if the redness is extending beyond the eyelid or if  there is swelling around the whole eye. 

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