If a round bump has developed in your eye, you're not alone. This common condition, known colloquially as a "stye," can result from a variety of causes, both infectious and non-infectious. A stye usually goes away on its own, although frequent application of wet, hot compresses can help it heal. You can prevent recurrence by following a few eye hygiene tips.
Causes
The most common cause of a round bump developing in the corner of your eye is the obstruction or bacterial infection of glands in the eyelid. If you've got a bacterial infection, a common bacterium called Staphylococcus aureus is the most likely offender. This type of bump is called a "hordeolum," and is typically tender and inflamed. When obstruction of a gland is the cause, the bump may grow larger, and may be less tender. These bumps are called chalazions. Colloquially, both are referred to as "styes."
Association with Other Diseases
Any condition that leads to inflammation around the eyes and eyelids can cause a chalazion to develop. A list of these conditions, compiled by Marc E. Levsky and Paul DeFlorio in "The Atlas of Emergency Medicine," includes seborrheic dermatitis of the eyelids, rosacea and lice. The interaction goes both ways -- that is, a bacterial infection that causes hordeolum can also spread to other parts of the eyes, causing, for example, blepharitis, an infection of the eyelids.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The diagnosis of chalazions and hordeolum is made through clinical assessment by your doctor. However, in the first few days, according to the "Merck Manual," the two may be clinically indistinguishable, and they will both appear as small, inflamed bumps in the corner of the eye. However, after a couple of days, differences will emerge: Chalazions tend to be non-tender lumps located on the body of the eyelid, while hordeolum tend to be painful and develop pus-filled inclusions that may rupture over the following days.
Treatment
Initial treatment of both of these conditions is similar, and is relatively conservative, involving frequent application of hot compresses to the affected area. Over time -- two to eight weeks for a chalazion and less than a week for a hordeolum -- the bump should disappear. If a chalazion gets particularly large or interferes with vision, surgical excision or steroid injection may be considered. In some cases, topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed for hordeolum. If your eye bump has progressed to the point that hot compresses are not effective, see an ophthalmologist for further treatment recommendations.
Prognosis
The prognosis for both of these conditions is excellent, provided they are not allowed to progress to the point of causing serious visual impairment. According to the Mayo Clinic, the best way to prevent recurrence is to keep your eyes clean. This includes making sure your hands are clean while putting in contact lenses, making sure the contacts themselves are clean, and washing off cosmetics before going to bed at night.
References
- Merck Manual: Chalazion and Hordeolum
- "The Atlas of Emergency Medicine"; Kevin J. Knoop, Lawrence B. Stack, Alan B. Storrow, R. Jason Thurman (editors); 2010
- MedlinePlus: Chalazion
- Mayo Clinic: Sty
