09 Sep Symptoms of Styes & Chalazia
A stye, also known as a hordeolum, and chalazion are both sometimes difficult to distinguish. Both are a red, swollen lump on your eyelids. Both can occur at any age. Here is part 2 of a short series to help you understand the differences between a stye (hordeolum) and a chalazion.
This is part of a series on styes and chalazia. Links to other articles may be found at the end of this article.
A stye is caused by a bacterial infection and the symptoms include:
There is tremendous overlap between the symptoms of a stye and the symptoms of chalazia. Don’t get too caught up in the details. If you have questions, give your eye doctor a call.
- A painful and inflamed bump on the edge of the eyelid that may swell the entire eyelid
- A small yellow spot in the center of the inflamed area. The yellow spot is pus.
- The feeling of something in your eye
- A scratchy feeling in the eye
- The eye may water excessively
- Sensitivity to light
- A crustiness that forms along the eyelid
A chalazion is not an infection but is a backup of oily lubricant from one of the oil-producing glands in the eye and symptoms include:
- A bump on the eyelid that is usually not painful
- In some rare cases, an entire swollen eyelid
- If the bump becomes large, it can press on the eyeball and cause blurry vision
Anyone can develop a stye or chalazion, but you are more at risk if you have one or more of the following:
Many patients have blepharitis, a chronic condition of the eyelids, which increases your chances of getting a stye or chalazion.
- Have blepharitis, a condition where there is chronic inflammation of the eyelids
- Have had a previous stye or chalazion
- Have acne, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis
- Have diabetes or other medical conditions
Additional articles on styes and chalazia:
Part 1: What’s the difference between and stye and chalazion?
Part 2: Symptoms of Styes and Chalazia
Part 3: Treatment Options for Styes and Chalazia
We look forward to seeing you. If you have questions or want to make an appointment, please give us a call.
Gregory Scimeca, M.D.
Ophthalmologist and Medical Director
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