When to seek care immediately
If redness or swelling extends beyond the eyelid to the surrounding skin, cheek, or forehead, this may indicate preseptal cellulitis — a more serious infection requiring prompt medical evaluation.
Emergency Eye CareA stye is an infection — not just a bump
A stye (hordeolum) is a bacterial infection of a gland in or along the eyelid. External styes form at the base of an eyelash follicle and appear on the lid margin — red, tender, and often with a small white or yellow center. Internal styes develop deeper inside the lid from an infected meibomian gland and tend to be more painful, though less visible from the outside. Both types are typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Most styes are self-limiting — they drain on their own within a week or two with proper warm compress therapy. But some styes enlarge, become very painful, or evolve into a chalazion — a chronic, painless lump caused by a blocked gland that no longer has active infection. A medical eye exam helps confirm what type of eyelid lesion you have and whether treatment beyond warm compresses is needed.
Anyone can develop a stye — some people more than others
Styes are not caused by poor hygiene alone — certain habits, conditions, and eye care routines increase your risk.
Contact lens wearers
Handling contact lenses increases the transfer of bacteria to the eyelid margins. Poor hand hygiene before lens insertion or sleeping in lenses raises the risk of eyelid infections. If you develop a stye, remove your contact lenses and do not reinsert them until the stye has fully resolved.
Those with blepharitis
Blepharitis — chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins — creates conditions that favor stye formation. Buildup of skin oils, dead cells, and bacteria along the lid margin can repeatedly block glands. Patients with frequent styes often benefit from a consistent lid hygiene routine as part of long-term prevention.
Anyone with recurring styes
If you experience styes repeatedly — especially in the same location — it warrants a closer look. Recurring internal styes in the same lid position can sometimes indicate a chalazion, sebaceous cyst, or in rare cases require further evaluation to rule out other causes of a persistent eyelid lump.
Fast assessment and a treatment plan that works
Most styes respond well to a structured treatment approach. We confirm the diagnosis, rule out a chalazion or other eyelid condition, and get you started on the right treatment the same day.
Slit-Lamp Eyelid Examination
We examine the eyelid margin, meibomian gland openings, and surrounding tissue to confirm whether you have an external or internal stye, a chalazion, or another eyelid condition — each has a different management approach.
Warm Compress Guidance + Medication
Most styes are treated with a warm compress routine — 10 minutes, 3–4 times daily — to promote natural drainage. Where needed, we prescribe antibiotic ointment or drops to address the bacterial component. Persistent or large styes that do not respond to conservative treatment may be drained in-office.
Prevention & Follow-Up
We advise on lid hygiene — especially for patients with blepharitis or recurring styes — to minimize future episodes. A follow-up visit confirms resolution and rules out a residual chalazion, which can persist even after the infection clears.
Common questions about styes
Have a question not answered here? Feel free to call or text our team.
No — you should not try to squeeze or pop a stye. Doing so can spread the infection deeper into the eyelid or surrounding tissue. Warm compresses applied consistently will encourage the stye to drain on its own when it is ready. If a stye is very large or not responding to conservative care, in-office drainage by your eye doctor is the appropriate approach.
Most external styes resolve within 7–10 days with consistent warm compress therapy. Internal styes can take 2–3 weeks. If your stye has not improved significantly after a week of warm compress treatment, or if it is growing or becoming more painful, see your eye doctor.
The bacteria that cause styes (usually Staphylococcus) are common skin bacteria and are not spread the way a viral illness is. However, avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, or makeup while a stye is active, and wash your hands regularly — especially before touching the eyelid area.
A stye is an active infection — red, painful, tender, and often with a visible pus point. A chalazion is a blocked gland without active infection — firm, usually painless, and may persist for weeks or months. Chalazia often develop from styes that have resolved but left the gland blocked. Treatment differs: chalazia typically require warm compresses over a longer period and sometimes a minor in-office procedure if they do not resolve on their own.
No. Remove your contact lenses and avoid wearing them until the stye has fully resolved and your eye doctor has confirmed it is safe to resume lens wear. Wearing contacts during an active eyelid infection can worsen the condition and increases the risk of transferring bacteria to the lens surface.
A stye is treatable — get on top of it early
Same-day appointments available. We will confirm the diagnosis and have you on the right treatment plan before you leave.