Hordeolum

This is a common infection of the glands of the eyelids causing an abscess, most frequently, due to staphylococcus aureus (1).

• usually a self limiting condition
• can be multiple or bilateral
• commonly seen in association with chronic blepharitis (1)

Episodes of hordeolum is more commonly observed in patients with

• chronic skin conditions
• decreased immunity due to certain systemic diseases e.g. - diabetes (1)

Vision is not affected (2).

There are two types:

• an external hordeolum (commonly known as a stye) - more common, external stye is an acute infection of a lash follicle (in the skin) and always associated with glands of Zeis or Moll
• an internal hordeolum - the internal stye is an acute infection of a meibomian gland situated within the tarsal plate (1).

Reference:

• (1) Northern Territory Government of Australia , Department of Health and Families 2005. Clinical pathways for optometric management of ocular conditions.
• (2) Greenberg MI. Diagnosis: A Hordeolum. Emergency Medicine News 2002;24(6):10