Have you noticed some discomfort along the edge of your eye? Is it puffy and red in that one location? If so, it could very well be that you have developed a stye. This common eye-related problem is not necessarily a cause of great concern and isn’t likely to have you looking up eye doctors in South Austin, TX, but it can be uncomfortable.
What is it? The first thing to do if you think that you might have a stye is to be sure that you know what it is. Styes and chalazions are commonly confused. While related, they do differ slightly. A stye is an infection that develops along the edge of an eyelid (either the upper or the lower). On occasion the small, swollen, infected area can occur inside the eyelid, in which case it is referred to as an internal hordeolum by optometrists and glaucoma specialists. If the lump is in the eyelid and is larger than the average stye, then it is more likely a chalazion. It is not uncommon for this type of infection to create a lump that covers almost the whole lid, whereas a stye is often as small as a grain of rice. The larger infection is typically the less painful, however.
Causes Generally, the small area of discomfort is the result of a bacterial infection that forms at the base of an eyelash or within an oil gland. If a hordeolum in an oil gland does not drain properly, it can become a chalazion.
Symptoms There are several symptoms that may be reported by a stye-sufferer. The most common complaint is discomfort around the eye. Styes, especially, can be quite painful and may result in the eye watering in excess. The pain may even be noted before the swelling begins. The puffiness will generally last for about three days and then the wound will open and drain. The drainage is rarely noticeable as the eye flushes the fluid away. The entire healing process will typically last about one week. However, chalazia grow more slowly and also heal more slowly. They begin as a minor cyst under the eyelid, but can get large enough to disrupt proper vision. If it does not heal properly, the infection can spread to areas around the eye. Though a chalazion will generally heal itself within a few months, sufferers will often seek the help of optometrists of cataract surgeons, Austin, TX, to ensure that all symptoms are related to the infected growth. It can help to apply warm compresses a few times per day and over-the-counter ointments are also available today.
Frequency Styes can return. Some people will have several during the course of a lifetime while others will never experience a single eye infection. Experts believe that some people are simply more prone to the infections, but it is also suspected that those who wear makeup frequently, those who touch their eyes more often, or even those who suffer from frequent allergies could be at increased risk. If styes are a consistent problem, it may be best to consult an eye allergy doctor to discuss the possibility that allergens are causing the swelling of the lid.
Ophthalmologist Austin TX
Broberg Eye Care
4207 James Casey St # 305
Austin, TX 78745-1193
(512) 447-6096
