{"id":1859,"date":"2026-10-20T08:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/eye-glossary\/stye\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T12:57:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:57:23","slug":"stye","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/laseristanbulclinic.com\/en\/eye-glossary\/stye\/","title":{"rendered":"Stye (Hordeolum): What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Home<\/a><\/li>
  2. Knowledge centre<\/a><\/li>
  3. Eye glossary A\u2013Z<\/a><\/li>
  4. Stye (Hordeolum): What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/span><\/li><\/ol><\/div>\t\t\t

    Stye (Hordeolum): What It Is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Medically reviewed by {{surgeon}}<\/span><\/strong>, {{surgeon’s title and specialty}}<\/span>, on {{review date}}<\/span>. Last updated {{date}}<\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \"Illustration<\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
    \n\t\t<\/svg>Definition<\/span>\n\t\t\t

    Stye<\/strong> (noun; medical name hordeolum, plural hordeola)<\/em>: a stye is a small, painful, red lump on the edge or inside of the eyelid, usually caused by a bacterial infection of an eyelash follicle or one of the eyelid’s oil glands. Most styes settle by themselves in about a week with warm compresses and are rarely serious. Eyelid problems that keep coming back, such as repeated styes or lumps, can be assessed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131, our eyelid and oculoplastic surgeon.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    Stye (hordeolum): key facts<\/h2><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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    <\/svg>What it is<\/span><\/dt>
    A localised infection of a gland or follicle in the eyelid, seen as a tender lump<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Types<\/span><\/dt>
    External (at the eyelash base) and internal (deeper in the eyelid)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Usual cause<\/span><\/dt>
    Bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus<\/em><\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Who gets them<\/span><\/dt>
    Any age; a common problem in primary care<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Typical course<\/span><\/dt>
    Usually settles within about one week; rarely serious<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>First-line care<\/span><\/dt>
    Warm compresses 2\u20134 times a day, no squeezing<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Linked conditions<\/span><\/dt>
    Blepharitis, rosacea, diabetes (in recurrent cases)<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Most common complication<\/span><\/dt>
    A chalazion, a firm lump that can stay behind<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    <\/svg>Specialist<\/span><\/dt>
    Ophthalmologist; for recurrent eyelid problems, an eyelid (oculoplastic) surgeon such as Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sat\u0131c\u0131<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n
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    What is a stye?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t

    A stye (hordeolum) is an acute infection of a small gland or hair follicle in the eyelid. It shows up as a painful pustule, like a pimple, along the lid margin. It usually affects one eye, although more than one stye can appear at a time. The eyelid’s anatomy helps here: the orbital septum, a thin membrane in the lid, normally helps to keep infection contained.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

    What are the types of stye?<\/h3>\n

    There are two types, depending on which gland is involved.<\/p>

    Type<\/th>Where it is<\/th>Glands involved<\/th>What you see and feel<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    External stye<\/strong><\/th>At the base of an eyelash, on the lid edge<\/td>The glands of Zeis or Moll, small glands at the base of the eyelashes<\/td>A red, tender bump on the outside edge of the lid, often with a yellow, pus-filled centre<\/td><\/tr>
    Internal stye<\/strong><\/th>Inside the eyelid<\/td>The meibomian glands, the deeper oil glands in the lid that keep the eye lubricated<\/td>A swollen, tender area deeper in the lid; the pus point may be less visible from outside<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

    Both types are bacterial in origin, and the first-aid steps are the same.<\/p><\/div>\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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    \"Illustration<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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    What causes a stye?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    A stye is caused by bacteria infecting an eyelash follicle or an eyelid gland.<\/strong> Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>, a common skin bacterium, is the main cause in all age groups, according to the StatPearls review of hordeolum.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Things that make a stye more likely:<\/p>\n