Sty

sty, in medicine, acute localized infection of one or more of the glands of the eyelid, with pain, swelling, and redness of the lid margin, usually caused by a staphylococcus infection. An external sty usually releases its pus and disappears in a day or so. Hot or cold compresses and antibiotic ointments are used to treat sties. Recurring sties are usually due to uncorrected refractive errors, poor general health, or infection elsewhere in the body. If a sty does not disappear in a few days, a physician should be consulted.

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sty

 or hordeolum

Infection of an eyelid gland. An external sty results from infection of a sebaceous gland at the edge of the eyelid; tears flow and the eye feels tender, as if something is in it. The sty reddens and swells. Warm compresses help it break sooner. An internal sty is caused by infection of a meibomian gland under the eyelid lining. More painful than an external sty, it usually breaks through the inner lining of the lid when it discharges and may leave a painless cyst (chalazion) at the site. See also boil.

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stye, sty

inflammation of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid, usually caused by bacteria

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sty [stī]

(medicine)

hordeolum

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Sty 

(also stye), an acute purulent inflammation of a sebaceous gland at the root of the eyelashes. Sties are caused by a pyogenic, usually staphylococcal, infection. A painful point appears on the margin of the eyelid at the onset of the disease. Reddening and swelling occur, and there is edema of the eyelid and conjunctiva. A yellowish abscess forms two to four days later, and, when lanced, it discharges pus. A sty is often accompanied by headache and fever. Recurrences are common. Squeezing pus from a sty may cause complications, for example, phlegmon of the orbit and meningitis.

A similar clinical picture is produced by meibomianitis—inflammation of the meibomian glands. In this condition, the inflammation develops less acutely. Treatment includes the use of dry heat, ultrahigh frequency, yellow mercury ointment, and soluble sulfacetamide solution.