Your Care Instructions:

Styes and chalazia (say “chuh-LAY-zee-uh”) are both conditions that can cause swelling of the eyelid.

A stye is an infection in the root of an eyelash. The infection causes a tender red lump on the edge of the eyelid. The infection can spread until the whole eyelid becomes red and inflamed. Styes usually break open, and a tiny amount of pus drains. They usually clear up on their own in about a week, but they sometimes need treatment with antibiotics.

A chalazion is a lump or cyst in the eyelid. It is caused by swelling and inflammation of deep oil glands inside the eyelid. Chalazia are usually not infected. They can take a few months to heal.

If a chalazion becomes more swollen and painful or does not go away, you may need to have it drained by your doctor.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to go to all of your appointments and call your doctor if you are having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Do not rub your eyes. Do not squeeze or try to open a stye or chalazion.

To help a stye or chalazion heal faster:

• Put a warm, moist compress on your eye for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 to 6 times a day. Heat often brings a stye to a point where it drains on its own. Keep in mind that warm compresses will often increase swelling a little at first. ** Do not heat a wet cloth in the microwave. The compress may get too hot and burn the eyelid.
• Always wash your hands before and after you use a compress or touch your eyes.
• If the doctor gave you antibiotic drops or ointment, use the medicine exactly as directed. Use the medicine for as long as instructed, even if your eye starts to feel better.

To put in eye drops or ointment:

1. Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
2. Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
3. Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.

      Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.

Do not wear eye makeup or contact lenses until the stye or chalazion heals.

Do not share towels, pillows, or washcloths while you have a stye.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have moderate-severe in your eye.
• You have a change in vision or loss of vision.
• Redness and swelling becomes severe.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your stye does not get better in 1 week or your chalazion does not start to get better after several weeks.