A stye is a common, localized infection that affects the eyelid. Styes generally do not cause blindness and resolve on their own, though some cases might require medical intervention.
What is a Stye?
A stye, medically known as a hordeolum, is a red, painful bump that forms on the eyelid. It occurs when a tiny oil-producing gland or a hair follicle on the eyelid becomes blocked and infected. The infection is most frequently caused by bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Styes can develop on the outer edge of the eyelid (external stye) or on the inner surface of the eyelid (internal stye). Common symptoms include swelling of the eyelid, tenderness, discharge from the eye, a scratchy feeling, light sensitivity, and crusting along the eyelid.
Styes and Vision: Dispelling the Myth
Styes do not cause permanent vision loss or blindness. This is because a stye is a localized infection of the eyelid’s surface structures, such as oil glands or eyelash follicles. It does not affect the internal components of the eye that are responsible for vision, like the retina or the optic nerve.
While a stye might lead to temporary blurry vision, this is typically due to swelling and inflammation pushing against the eye, or from pus and discharge coating the cornea. This blurriness resolves as the stye heals and the swelling subsides. In rare instances, a very large stye or a chalazion (a related condition) could distort the shape of the eye, leading to temporary blurred vision, which corrects itself once the bump is gone.
Serious Complications and When to See a Doctor
While generally benign, styes can sometimes lead to complications, though these are rare and typically do not result in blindness. One possible complication is the development of a chalazion, a painless, firm lump that can form if a stye does not drain properly and the blocked gland remains. Another potential, though uncommon, complication is the spread of the infection to the surrounding eyelid tissue, known as preseptal cellulitis.
It is important to seek medical attention if certain symptoms arise. You should see a doctor if the stye worsens, or if pain and swelling increase after the first few days. Other warning signs include a fever, changes in vision beyond temporary blurriness, the stye growing very large, or if it does not improve within a week of home care. Frequent recurrence of styes also warrants a medical evaluation to identify any underlying causes.