QUESTION: "YOU ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE EXIT SITE FOR A STYE / CHALAZION, BUT I'M STILL NOT UNDERSTANDING. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WITH A DIAGRAM?"

A stye or chalazion is a clogged gland on the eyelid. A stye is also called a hordeolum and is INFECTED because there is bacteria involved. A chalazion is just a clog without any infection. 

What Is the EXIT SITE?

A stye or chalazion happens because an eyelid gland gets clogged. The EXIT SITE is the natural drainage opening of the affected eyelid gland. It’s the location where the debris exits. The debris can consist of pus and excess oil. The EXIT SITE is 100% of the time always at the EYELID MARGIN. Encouraging drainage toward this exit is key to healing.

Stye Drainage Path

INNIE VS. OUTTIE STYE Onset

An OUTTIE STYE forms by the eyelash follicle. Drainage follows a short path directly to the EXIT SITE at the lash base from the Gland of Moll & Gland of Zeis.

An INNIE STYE arises deeper in the Meibomian Gland duct. The pus travels internally before reaching it's EXIT SITE on the eyelid margin.

Chalazion Drainage Path

A chalazion is a chronic obstruction of a Meibomian Gland. Its fuller, lipid‑rich contents need a longer route. They drain from within the gland to the EXIT SITE through the duct.

Encouraging Proper Exit Site Drainage

FOR STYE (WITH BACTERIAL INFECTION) DO STEPS 1-4

FOR CHALAZION (NO INFECTION) DO STEPS  1-3

1) Warm Compress & Massage: Heat is your friend. Use Focused Eye Roll for 30 seconds a day soften and slowly drain debris. Repeat 30 second sessions during the day as needed. Spread the sessions apart so the eyelid skin doesn't become damaged. For upper eyelid, roll down towards the eyelid margin. For lower lid, roll up towards eyelid margin. 

2) Gentle Eyelid Scrub: Add 1 drop of Tea Tree (brown label) or Rosemary (green label) Eyelid & Eyelash Cleansing Oil on Eyelid Margin Scrub Brush. Gently scrub along the eyelid margin to keep an exit site open for debris to drain. The body will want to heal itself. Without an exit site, the debris will likely pop through the eyelid and we don't want that.

3) Foaming Lid Cleanser: Finish the double cleanse Tea Tree (blue label) or SuperGLA (purple label) Eyelid & Eyelash Foaming Cleanser to wash away any drainage material. 

4) Spray it Spotless: Spray Calm or Tea Tree Water Eyelid & Eyelash Spray to keep the area completely spotless. The hypochlorous will clean away bacteria and also work to limit cross-contamination between eyelids.

Never Through The Eyelid!!!

Whatever you do . . . DO NOT encourage or purposely pop a stye or chalazion through the eyelid. This is where ugly, forever scarring can happen. Not pretty. Roll the heat only where you need it. You always want the slow ooze, not that abrupt pop! This will protect the delicate tissues of the eyes and reduce the risk of scarring and secondary infection.

• EXIT SITE

• eyelid margin drainage

• stye vs chalazion

• stye drainage path

• chalazion treatment

• eyelid hygiene tips

• We Love Eyes stye care

• diagram of exit site