Dealing with a painful, swollen eyelid is frustrating enough the first time. When that same red bump keeps coming back, it’s natural to wonder what’s causing it and how you can stop the cycle for good.
Recurring styes often signal an underlying issue such as blocked oil glands in your eyelids, a condition known as meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Understanding this connection is the first step toward a lasting solution for clearer, more comfortable eyes.
What a Stye Is & How You Get One
A stye is a small, tender bump that forms on or inside your eyelid. It happens when one of the tiny oil glands along your eyelid gets clogged with old oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria. This blockage causes irritation and inflammation, leading to the development of a stye.
If you get styes often, this could point to an underlying issue like MGD. MGD affects the glands responsible for producing the oily layer of your tears. When these glands don’t function properly, blockages—and styes—can become a frequent problem.
Common Signs of a Stye
A stye can cause more than just a bump on your eyelid. You may also experience other symptoms as your body reacts to the blockage:
- A red, sore lump near the edge of your eyelid
- Swelling of your eyelid
- A gritty sensation in your eye
- Tearing or crustiness
Common Causes & Triggers for Recurring Styes
If you find yourself with styes again and again, several factors could be at play. Your daily habits, especially when it comes to glasses and contact lens hygiene, can make a difference.
Blocked Oil Glands & MGD
Your eyelids are lined with tiny oil glands called meibomian glands. These glands release an oil that helps prevent your tears from evaporating too quickly. When this oil thickens, it can’t flow freely, causing a clog that can lead to a stye and symptoms of dry eye.
Bacteria on the Eyelids
Your eyelids naturally have bacteria living on the skin, but when there is an overgrowth of these bacteria, it can contribute to inflammation, blocked glands, and recurring styes. Managing this bacterial balance is an important part of preventing styes from returning.
Contact Lens & Glasses Habits
How you handle your eyewear matters a great deal for your eye health. Improperly cleaned contact lenses or touching your eyes without washing your hands can introduce bacteria to the eyelid area. Even dirty glasses can transfer oils and bacteria, increasing the risk of a blockage.
Other Factors Like Stress & Health
While less direct, other parts of your life can influence your eye health. High levels of stress can impact your body’s ability to fight off infections. Certain health conditions or even your skin type may also make you more prone to clogged glands.
How to Stop Frequent Styes
You can take simple, proactive steps to lower your chances of getting another stye. Good hygiene is your first line of defence, and it doesn’t take much time to incorporate into your daily routine. These small changes can have a big impact.
Simple Eyelid Hygiene Tips
Keeping your eyelids clean can help prevent the buildup that leads to clogged glands. A consistent routine is key to maintaining healthy eyelids.
- Use a warm compress on your eyes for a few minutes each day to help keep the oils in your glands flowing.
- Gently clean your eyelids using dedicated eyelid wipes or lid cleansers designed specifically for the eyelid area.
- Use a hypochlorous (HOCL) spray as recommended to help reduce bacteria on the eyelids and support overall lid health.
- Avoid sharing towels, pillows, or eye makeup with others to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Best Practices for Contact Lenses & Glasses
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you put in or take out your contact lenses. Make sure to follow the proper wear and care instructions for your lenses and clean your case regularly. For glasses wearers, clean your frames and lenses often to remove built-up oils and skin cells.
When At-Home Care Is Not Enough
Warm compresses and daily cleaning can help a lot, but sometimes they only offer short-term relief for a persistent problem. If styes keep coming back despite your best efforts, it’s a sign that an underlying cause needs more direct attention. Think of recurring styes as your body’s way of telling you that your meibomian glands are struggling to function correctly on their own.
At Envision Eye Care, we offer comprehensive dry eye testing, including meibography and subjective TBUT. Even if your styes are related to dry eye or MGD, we’ve got you covered.
Professional Treatments for Lasting Relief
For chronic styes linked to MGD, we can offer treatments that address the root cause, not just the symptoms. By focusing on the health of your meibomian glands, we can help restore their natural function. This approach can lead to more sustainable comfort and clarity.
Meibomian Gland Expression
This in-office procedure involves your eye doctor applying gentle, precise pressure to the eyelids. The goal is to express the thick, trapped oil from the glands. This process helps clear the blockages to restore normal oil flow and gland function.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a gentle, light-based treatment applied to the skin around the eyes. These pulses of light help warm and liquefy the hardened oil that’s blocking the meibomian glands. It also helps reduce inflammation around the eyelids, which often contributes to MGD and styes.
Find Comfort for Your Eyes
If you’re tired of dealing with recurring styes, it might be time to look into the cause. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify issues like MGD and give us a clear picture of your eye health.
At Envision Eye Care, we can talk with you about all your options—from lid hygiene routines and hypochlorous sprays to in-office therapies like IPL—to help you find a lasting solution. Book an appointment with our team today, and let’s work together to get your eyes feeling comfortable again.
