Stye Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

A hordeolum usually begins as a red and swollen area on or in the eyelid. Often, the area is very tender and painful. In addition to the red, painful bump, some other symptoms of hordeola include:

Tearing of the eye
Blurred vision
A sensation of a foreign body or scratchiness in the eye
Sometimes, there is a point or yellowish spot on the swollen area. This is where the discharge of pus will occur when the hordeolum drains.

Internal hordeola are usually more painful and are less likely to come to a point without the assistance of a doctor. If you experience redness and painful swelling in the eye, or any change in vision, it is important to contact your eye doctor immediately. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions as well.

Diagnosis

In most cases, a simple eye exam is all that is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a hordeolum. Other than looking at your eye, special tests are not usually necessary for diagnosis.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2025 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.