Chalazion and Stye

Question 1

What is a stye?

Answer 1

Aka Hordeolum is an acute purulent inflammation of sebaceous (oil) glands of the eyelid at the level eyelashes or in mid portion of the eyelid.

Question 2

What are the 2 classifications of stye?

Answer 2

Internal hordeolum are due to inflammation of the meibomian gland. Swelling under the conjunctival side of the eyelid

External hordeolum arise from glands in the eyelash follicle or lid margin
Glands of Zeis or Moll

Question 3

Give 5 risk factors for stye.

Answer 3

Lifestyle
- Poor eyelid hygiene
- Leave on eye makeup overnight
- Frequent use of makeup
- Stress which in turn weakens the immune system
- Improper contact lens hygiene introduces bacteria to the eyelid margin

Local
- Chronic eyelid conditions blepharitis and melbomian gland dysfunction

Systemic conditions i.e
- Diabetes mellitus and rosaecea

Question 4

Give 5 signs and symptoms of stye.

Answer 4

• Localized painful swelling of one or more eyelids
• Generalised edema or erythema of the eyelid that later becomes localized.
• Crust along the eyelid
• Discomfort during blinking
• Blurred vision
• Foreign body sensation
• Photophobia
• Tearing

Question 5

Give 3 differential diagnosis for stye.

Answer 5

Infectious
Blepharitis
Pre-septal cellulitis
Acute conjunctivitis

Benign lesions
Chalazion

Malignant lesions
Sebaceous gland carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma

Question 6

How is stye treated?

Answer 6

Styes are self limiting (Can drain spontaneously)

Conservative management
Warm compress and lid massages

Antibiotics
Erythromycin ointment can be applied to prevent spread of infection
Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline only when concern for periorbital cellulitis, bacteremia or tender preauricular lymph nodes

Incision and drainage
For very large hordeolum.