What is the Fastest Cure for an Eye Stye?

Today I got asked this question on social media: "What is the fastest cure for an eye stye?" While no miracle cure exists for a stye (aka hordeolum), there are several effective methods to speed up the healing process and reduce discomfort.

 

 

 

 

 

Effective Tips for Rapid Relief

Here are some proven methods that can help provide quick relief from an eye stye:

• Cold Compresses:
  • Apply a cold cloth to the affected area for 5-10 minutes, 3-4 times a day. This helps to reduce the discomfort and inflammatory response. If there is pre-septal cellulitis - cold compresses can help it feel better, but ultimately oral antibiotics will be needed.
• Warm Compresses:
  • Heat and roll Focused Eye Roll to the affected eyelid for 30 seconds, 3-4 times a day. This active, rolling compress helps to promote drainage.
• Proper Eyelid Hygiene:
  • Gently clean your eyelids using these 2 cleansers: a mild foaming eyelid cleanser (blue label or purple label) to wash away stye discharge and debris, and this hypochlorous cleansing spray to keep the are spotless to prevent contamination / re-infection.
• Keep the Exit Site Open:
  • No drianing? The issue is usually the exit site. Scrub the eyelid margin where the stye is location so that stye debris has space to ooze out. If this isn't done, a stye can pop INCORRECTLY through the eyelid skin (see below).
• Avoid Squeezing or Popping:
  • Do not attempt to squeeze, pick, play with the stye as this just causes irritation and slows down the healing process. A stye that pops through the eyelid skin can get a secondary infection and /or ugly eyelid scar.  
• Over-the-Counter / Home Remedies:
  • Some OTC / home remedies may help reduce inflammation and discomfort, but to me - use your best judgment. If it's getting worse, it's getting worse. See your optometrist. Time is of the essence. 
• Energy Device:
  • For some styes flare ups, energy devices are a great option if you want speed. Not all qualify so ask your dry eye specialist optometrist about RF (radio requency), LLT (low light therapy), and IPL (intense pulsed light).

Professional Advice for Quick Healing

While these OTC / home remedies can provide temporary relief, remember:

• Consult a Professional: If your stye persists or worsens, it's important to seek expert advice from your optometrist. Pre-septal cellulite is vision threatening. It can become a full blown orbital cellulitis which is life threatening. 
• Follow a proper treatment plan: Rely on clinically proven methods rather than quick fixes for results. IMO, if your stye has yellow or green pus, you need antibiotics. If your stye has lots of inflammation, you need steroids. 
• Use specialized products: Who knew there was such a thing, but cleaning a stye at home is now possible with Stye Cleansing System. If you're prone to styes, having it on hand to zap a stye before it even becomes a stye is the best. Read How to Clean a Stye With Confidence here.