Common causes of styes (i.e hordeoli/chalazia) include:

Blepharitis (accumulation of bacteria in eyelashes)
Facial rosacea
Ocular rosacea
Demodex infestation and aggregation
Pro-inflammatory diet

A stye is a blocked and/or infected oil gland inside the eyelid. At this point, it can be treated with heat masks, cleansers, topical ophthalmic ointments and/or in-office Intense Pulse Light (IPL). Once the acute infection has resolved, it is important to treat the underlying cause - this is oftentimes when patients stop their treatment plan and the stye can recur (perhaps on a different eyelid this time).

Photograph: Review of Optometry

When the infection spreads to surrounding soft tissues, it becomes a preseptal cellulitis, which then requires oral antibiotics in addition to all of the treatments listed above. If you develop a fever, you must seek medical attention immediately.

An infection requires close monitoring by your eye doctor. When to seek help from your eye doctor:

Bump worsens with redness and swelling
Onset of fever
Worsening of eyelid swelling
Vision gets worse

Note: Over-the-counter “stye eye drops” are not regulated by the FDA and do not assist in resolving styes. These are not recommended.

Once the stye has resolved, it is important to address the underlying cause of the styes to prevent recurrence. When there is a chronic, underlying pathology present, styes will inevitably recur. With a well-rounded treatment protocol, you and your eye doctor can work towards preventing recurrence. This may include, but not limited to: topical at-home therapies, in-office non surgical procedures and a deep dive into your diet. Yes, your diet plays a large role here!

What happens if an acute hordeolum (Stye) and/or chalazion goes untreated?