{"id":14140,"date":"2021-06-23T07:16:59","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T07:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=14140"},"modified":"2021-07-27T10:40:06","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T10:40:06","slug":"what-is-a-stye","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/dry-eye\/eyelid-conditions\/what-is-a-stye\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Stye?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A stye is a bacterial infection inside your eyelid.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Styes can be contagious as it’s possible to transmit bacteria from one person to another just by touching a stye and then transferring the bacteria to the eye of the next person.<\/p>\n

What is a stye?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A stye is a small painful red bump that usually forms on the inside or outside edge of the eyelid. It may look like a pimple and is often filled with a white or yellow sticky discharge, also known as \u2018pus\u2019.<\/p>\n

In some cases, a stye will start to disappear on its own after a couple of days, but if it remains for more than 1-2 days, see your eye doctor.<\/p>\n

What causes a stye?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A stye is caused by an infection in the eyelid\u2019s oil glands, these tiny glands help maintain moisture in the eyes and eliminate foreign particles by producing oil for the tears.<\/p>\n

Bacteria, dead skin cells or old oil can clog the glands, causing a buildup of germs and developing in an infection, resulting in a stye.<\/p>\n

Signs and symptoms of a stye<\/b><\/h2>\n

The most common signs and symptoms of a stye include:<\/p>\n