Stye Surgery
What Is Stye Surgery
If you have noticed a painful bump on your eyelid, we understand how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be. A stye (hordeolum) is an acute bacterial infection of an eyelid gland, typically appearing as a red, tender bump near the lash line. An external stye affects the glands at the base of the eyelashes, while an internal stye involves the meibomian glands (oil-producing glands located deeper within the eyelid). A chalazion, by contrast, is a non-infectious, chronic bump that develops when a blocked meibomian gland becomes inflamed without active infection. While both can require surgical drainage, styes tend to be more painful and develop more rapidly. You can learn more about how to tell the difference between a chalazion and a stye.
Most styes resolve within one to two weeks with warm compresses applied several times a day. Surgery is typically considered when a stye does not improve after consistent conservative care, continues to grow, or hardens into a firm nodule. Research shows that 50 to 70 percent of styes and chalazia resolve without surgery through warm compresses and lid hygiene alone (StatPearls, 2023), so we always explore those options first. A stye that is large enough to press on the eyeball and cause blurred vision or astigmatism may also warrant surgical removal. In rare cases, a persistent eyelid lump may need to be biopsied to rule out other conditions.
Stye surgery, formally called incision and curettage (I and C), is performed under local anesthesia in our office. Our oculoplastic surgeon numbs the eyelid with a small injection, then places a specialized chalazion clamp to isolate the bump and control bleeding. For internal styes, the eyelid is gently flipped so the incision is made on the inner surface, which avoids any visible scar. Using a curette, the contents of the stye or chalazion are carefully scraped out through the incision. The procedure typically takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes, and no stitches are needed in most cases.
What Causes a Stye
The most common cause of a stye is infection by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. These bacteria normally live on the skin and can enter an eyelid gland through a clogged duct, a scratch, or contact with contaminated hands. Once inside the gland, the bacteria multiply and trigger an inflammatory response that produces the characteristic red, swollen, painful bump.
People with chronic blepharitis (inflammation along the eyelid margin) are more prone to developing styes. Blepharitis, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis are all recognized risk factors for chalazia and styes (PMC, 2021). Meibomian gland dysfunction, in which the oil glands in the eyelids do not function properly, also creates an environment where bacteria can more easily cause infection. If you experience recurrent eyelid bumps, our oculoplastic surgeon may evaluate you for these underlying conditions to help reduce the frequency of future episodes.
Touching or rubbing the eyes with unwashed hands introduces bacteria to the eyelid area. Sleeping in eye makeup, using expired cosmetics, or sharing eye products with others can also increase the risk. Contact lens wearers who do not follow proper lens cleaning and handling routines may be more susceptible as well.
Signs You May Need Stye Surgery
We know that dealing with a stye that will not go away can be disheartening, especially when you have been diligent with warm compresses. A stye that remains after two or more weeks of consistent home care may have hardened into a more chronic nodule. If the bump continues to grow rather than shrink, it is unlikely to resolve on its own. At this point, our oculoplastic surgeon may recommend incision and drainage to prevent further discomfort and potential complications.
While some tenderness is expected with a stye, increasing pain, significant swelling of the eyelid, or spreading redness beyond the bump could indicate that the infection is progressing. If the skin around the eye becomes warm, red, and very swollen, this may signal preseptal cellulitis (an infection of the tissue surrounding the eye) that needs prompt treatment with oral antibiotics in addition to possible drainage.
A large stye or chalazion can press against the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) and temporarily distort your vision by inducing astigmatism. A heavy bump may also cause mechanical ptosis, or drooping of the eyelid, by weighing down the lid. If you notice blurring or lid drooping that seems connected to an eyelid bump, it is important to have the lesion evaluated by our oculoplastic surgeon.
How Stye Surgery Is Performed
No special preparation is needed for stye surgery. You do not need to fast or stop most medications, though you should let us know about any blood-thinning medications you take. The procedure is performed in our office, so there is no need for a hospital visit or general anesthesia.
After cleaning the eyelid area, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the eyelid completely. A chalazion clamp is placed to stabilize the eyelid and minimize bleeding. For most styes, the incision is made on the inside (conjunctival surface) of the eyelid, so no external scar results. The infected or hardened material is then removed with a curette. If the stye is located on the outer eyelid surface, a small external incision may be needed instead. Tissue removed during the procedure is sometimes sent to a lab for analysis, particularly if the bump has recurred or has an unusual appearance.
Following stye surgery, we apply antibiotic ointment to the treated area and may place a pressure patch for a few hours. Some bruising and mild swelling of the eyelid is normal and usually resolves within a few days. Most patients can return to normal activities, including work, the next day. We typically prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment to use for about one week to prevent reinfection.
The eyelid may feel tender for two to three days after surgery. Swelling and any bruising generally improve within one week. Full healing of the eyelid tissue usually takes two to four weeks. During recovery, you should avoid rubbing the eye and keep the area clean. If the stye was drained externally, gentle massage of the area after a few days can help smooth the healing tissue. You can learn more about what to expect during eyelid surgery recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
We numb the eyelid thoroughly with a local anesthetic before beginning, so most patients feel only mild pressure during the procedure. Some tenderness around the eyelid is common for two to three days afterward, and over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient to manage it. Most patients describe the overall experience as much more tolerable than they expected.
Styes and chalazia have a recurrence rate of 25 to 40 percent, particularly when underlying eyelid conditions are not addressed (PMC, 2021). Maintaining a daily eyelid hygiene routine with warm compresses and gentle lid cleaning can significantly reduce this risk. If you experience frequent recurrences, our oculoplastic surgeon may recommend ongoing treatment for conditions such as chronic eyelid inflammation or meibomian gland dysfunction.
We generally recommend waiting at least one week before wearing contact lenses or applying eye makeup after stye surgery. This allows the eyelid tissue to heal and reduces the risk of reintroducing bacteria to the treated area. Your follow-up visit is a good time to confirm that it is safe to resume these activities.
In some cases, a corticosteroid injection directly into the bump can reduce inflammation and encourage a persistent chalazion or stye to resolve without incision. This approach works best for smaller, non-infected bumps. Our oculoplastic surgeon will discuss all options with you and recommend the approach most likely to bring lasting relief based on the size, location, and duration of your eyelid bump.
While most eyelid bumps are benign styes or chalazia, a lump that recurs in the same location or does not respond to treatment may occasionally require a biopsy to rule out other conditions such as eyelid cancer. This is uncommon, but it is one reason we recommend evaluation for any eyelid bump that persists beyond several weeks. Our oculoplastic surgeon can determine whether further testing is appropriate during your visit.
What our Patients say
4.8
Reviews
(3,408)