A stye is a common condition appearing as a red, tender lump near the edge of the eyelid. It forms when an oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes blocked and infected by bacteria. While generally not serious, a stye can cause discomfort and some concern, particularly regarding its potential impact on vision.
How Styes Affect Vision
A stye can cause temporary blurry vision. The swelling and inflammation from the stye can press against the eyeball, distorting its shape or interfering with the tear film. This pressure alters how light enters the eye, resulting in a blurred image.
Also, a stye may produce discharge or crusting that can get into the tear film. This debris can physically obscure vision, making things appear hazy or unclear. Any blurriness experienced due to a stye is usually temporary and typically resolves as the stye heals and the swelling subsides.
Other Stye Symptoms
Beyond potential blurry vision, styes present with several other common symptoms. A stye often manifests as a small, red, pimple-like bump directly on the eyelid. This area is frequently accompanied by swelling and pain or tenderness.
Other symptoms include a feeling of something being in the eye, light sensitivity, and excessive tearing. The eyelid margins may also show crusting, and some individuals report a scratchy or itchy sensation.
When to Seek Medical Care
While many styes resolve on their own with home care, certain signs indicate the need for medical attention. If the blurry vision caused by the stye worsens or does not improve as the stye begins to heal, professional evaluation is recommended. Medical consultation is also advised if the stye grows larger, becomes more painful, or does not show improvement after a few days of home treatment.
If redness or swelling spreads beyond the immediate eyelid area to other parts of the face, such as the cheek, this suggests a more widespread infection. Other reasons to seek care include significant pain, the stye affecting overall vision or eye movement, or if styes recur frequently. The presence of pus, blood, or blisters on the eyelid, or symptoms like fever and chills, also warrant immediate medical attention.
Managing Styes and Prevention
Managing a stye at home primarily involves applying warm compresses to the affected eyelid. Soaking a clean washcloth in warm, not hot, water and holding it against the closed eye for 10 to 15 minutes, three to five times a day, can help the stye drain naturally. It is important to rewarm the washcloth frequently to maintain consistent heat. Gentle eyelid hygiene, such as carefully cleaning the area with a mild solution like diluted baby shampoo, can also be beneficial.
It is important to avoid squeezing or attempting to pop a stye, as this can spread the infection or worsen the condition. Until the stye has fully healed, it is also recommended to avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses to prevent further irritation or contamination.
For preventing styes, maintaining good hand hygiene is crucial; hands should be washed thoroughly before touching the eyes. Proper care for contact lenses, including regular cleaning and disposal, along with removing eye makeup completely before sleep and replacing eye makeup products every two to three months, also helps reduce the risk of stye formation.