Dry eyes and styes are common eye conditions causing discomfort. While distinct, a connection exists between them. This article explains how dry eye syndrome can increase the likelihood of developing a stye.
What is a Stye?
A stye is an acute bacterial infection of an oil gland in the eyelid. It typically presents as a red, painful, and swollen lump along the eyelid’s edge.
Styes form when an eyelid oil gland becomes blocked and infected. This blockage prevents oil drainage, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to inflammation and pus.
There are two main types of styes. An external stye forms on the outside of the eyelid, usually affecting a gland near the eyelashes. An internal stye develops inside the eyelid, involving a meibomian gland, which produces oil for the tear film. Styes are sometimes confused with chalazia, which are non-infectious cysts that form from blocked oil glands but are not typically painful unless very large.
What is Dry Eye Syndrome?
Dry eye syndrome occurs when eyes don’t produce enough tears, or tears are poor quality and evaporate too quickly. Tears lubricate the eye, protect it from irritants, and wash away foreign particles. The tear film maintains eye health.
When the tear film is compromised, symptoms include a gritty sensation, burning, stinging, or redness. Blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or paradoxically, excessive tearing can also occur. Common factors contributing to dry eyes include environmental conditions, extended screen use, aging, certain medications, and underlying health conditions.
How Dry Eyes Contribute to Styes
Dry eyes don’t directly cause styes, but they create an environment making the eyelid more susceptible to bacterial infections. A healthy tear film protects the eye. When tears are insufficient or poor quality, this barrier weakens, allowing bacteria to linger and potentially infect glands.
Chronic irritation and inflammation from dry eye syndrome can affect eyelid margins. This inflammation can involve the meibomian glands, which produce the oily component of tears. Inflamed glands are more prone to blockage, leading to bacterial overgrowth and infection.
Reduced tear volume also impairs the eye’s natural flushing mechanism. Tears wash away bacteria and debris from the eye and eyelid. Diminished tear production allows these particles to accumulate around eyelid glands, increasing the likelihood of blockage and subsequent bacterial infection.
Steps to Reduce Your Risk
Maintaining good eye hygiene and managing dry eye symptoms can help reduce stye risk. For dry eyes, use artificial tears regularly for lubrication. Incorporate screen breaks, use a humidifier, and ensure adequate hydration to support tear production.
To prevent styes, apply regular warm compresses to eyelids to clear blocked oil glands. Gently massaging the eyelids after a warm compress can further aid in gland drainage. Avoid rubbing eyes. Thoroughly removing all eye makeup before sleep is also beneficial. If dry eye symptoms persist or a stye doesn’t improve with home care, seek professional medical attention.