Causes and Care of a Stye

QUESTION: I have had two attacks of a stye on my left eye. That is also my
bad eye, the one that has the thickest lens in my glasses. I was wondering if
the two circumstances are connected? Could you also tell me what antibiotic
might be good to help with the eye infection?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: I am glad you recognize a stye (also called a "hordeolum") as an
infection, for that knowledge makes the answer a bit easier to understand.
All infections are caused by microorganisms, in this case a bacteria.
Staphylococci are most commonly the responsible culprit for a stye.
The need for glasses is based upon a condition known as a "refractive
error". The collection of tissues that make up the eye (the cornea, aqueous
humor, the lens itself, and the jelly-like vitreous), which act as lenses,
fail to focus the image of the outer world precisely upon the retina, often
compared to the film in a camera. And so corrective lenses (glasses) are used
to correct the "error". However, this fault can not cause an infection, and
so the facts in your case are mere coincidence.
The best "cure" for a stye is the discharge of the pus that collects
within the lid. That happens rather rapidly, and can be hastened by applying
hot compresses to the inflamed area. As soon as the stye "points", when a
small yellowish spot forms in the center of the inflamed area, a very sharp
scalpel can be used to release the accumulated pus, which also relieves the
pain. The use of oral antibiotics can slow this process or stop it
completely, and so are generally not used in treating simple styes. However,
in cases of chronically ill persons or those with an impaired immune system,
dicloxacillin or erythromycin are effective.
There is also a form of stye (deep hordeolum) which can involve one of
the Meibomian glands that are located within the eyelid. These infections are
usually more severe, causing greater pain, redness and swelling. They too
resolve rapidly once the pus is out, but there are cases for which oral
antibiotics may be required. In any case, local antibiotic creams or usually
ineffective and are not recommended.