Eyelids & Tearing · Patient Q&A

What is a Stye?

Direct answer

A stye (hordeolum) is a tender red bump caused by a blocked, infected oil gland at the eyelid margin — it can point outward along the lash line or inward on the underside of the lid. Warm compresses for 10–15 minutes several times a day are the mainstay, and most styes settle within a week or two. Do not squeeze or pop them. Call us if swelling spreads across the lid or cheek, you develop fever or pain with eye movement, your vision changes, or the bump has not faded after a few weeks.

§Read video transcript

A stye develops when one of the glands at the edge of the eyelid becomes infected. Resembling a pimple, a stye can grow on the inside, or outside of the eyelid. Styes can occur at any age. Affected areas are tender, with localized redness, and swelling. They do not interfere with vision.

Dr. May’s Perspective

A stye is usually an inflamed or infected eyelid oil gland near the lashes. Warm compresses are the main first step, but they must be warm enough and used consistently. Do not squeeze it; that can worsen inflammation or spread infection. If swelling is severe, vision is affected, redness spreads, pain increases, or the bump fails to improve, it should be examined. Recurrent styes often point to underlying blepharitis or meibomian gland dysfunction, which needs ongoing lid care rather than one-time treatment. At May Eye Care Center in Hanover, PA, eyelid and dry-eye complaints are evaluated as part of the whole ocular surface, because lid disease can affect comfort, vision quality, contact lenses, and even cataract-surgery measurements.

— Carl J. May Jr., MD, Board-Certified Ophthalmologist

Medical sources

This page and video are for general patient education and are not a substitute for a medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Eye conditions vary by individual. For advice about your eyes, schedule an evaluation with May Eye Care Center. In an emergency, call 911.

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What is a Stye?

Medical sources

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