
External Hordeolum is an acute inflammation of lash follicle and its associated glands of Zeis or Moll accompanied by pus formation.
Etiology
1. Predisposing factors are as below:
- Age: It is more common in children and young adults (though age is no bar) and in patients with eye strain due to muscle imbalance or refractive errors.
- Habitual rubbing of the eyes or fingering of the lids and nose, chronic blepharitis and diabetes mellitus are usually associated with recurrent styes.
- Metabolic factors, chronic debility, excessive intake of carbohydrates and alcohol also act as predisposing factors.
2. Causative organism commonly involved is staphylococcus aureus.
Clinical features of External hordeolum (stye)
Symptoms
- Acute pain
- Swelling of lid
- Mild watering
- Photophobia
Signs
- Stage of cellulitis is characterised by localised, firm, red, tender swelling at the lid margin associated with marked oedema.
- Usually, there is one stye, but occasionally, these may be multiple.
- Stage of abscess formation is characterized by a visible pus point on the lid margin in relation to the affected cilia.
Treatment of External hordeolum ( stye)
- Hot compression 2-3 times a day are very useful especially in cellulitis stage.
- Evacuation of the pus should be done by epilating the involved cilia, when the pus point is formed.
- Surgical incision is required rarely for a large abscess.
- Antibiotic eye drops (3-4 times a day) and eye ointment (at bed time) should be applied to control the infection.
- Systemic anti-inflammatory and analgesics relievepain and reduce oedema.
- In reccurent styes, try to find out and treat the associated predisposing condition.
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