Blepharitis vs Styes - Understand the Difference

Understanding Blepharitis and Styes

Many people experience irritation, swelling, or redness of the eyelids. Two common eyelid conditions that can cause these symptoms are blepharitis and styes.

What is Blepharitis?

Blepharitis is chronic inflammation of the eyelids. It is a common condition that causes irritation, redness, burning, excessive tearing, and abnormal growth of bacteria around the eyelashes.

With blepharitis, the edges of the eyelids become inflamed. This inflammation affects the area where the eyelashes grow and their glands. Blepharitis can occur in one or both eyes.

Causes of Blepharitis

Blepharitis often develops when too much bacteria grow along the edge of the eyelids. It can also be linked to skin conditions like dandruff, eczema, or rosacea affecting the face and scalp. Blepharitis is often categorized into two types:

• Anterior blepharitis affects the outside front of the eyelids and base of the eyelashes.
• Posterior blepharitis affects the inner edge of the eyelids, behind the eyelashes.

Symptoms of Blepharitis

Common signs and symptoms of blepharitis include:

• Red, swollen, itchy eyelids
• Greasy scales or crust forming on eyelids
• Sticking of the eyelids, especially in the morning
• Flaking skin around eyelashes
• Missing or misdirected eyelashes
• Blurry vision or excess tearing
• Eye redness and light sensitivity
• Eye irritation or a burning sensation

Learning About Styes

A stye is a tender, painful red bump that develops on the eyelid margins. Styes occur when bacteria infect and inflame one of the oil glands along the edge of the eyelid.

Causes of Styes

Styes form when an eyelid oil gland becomes blocked, allowing bacteria to overgrow inside. This leads to an inflamed, pus-filled bump protruding from the eyelid. Styes can develop from:

• Bacterial infection of an oil gland
• Poor hygiene allowing bacteria to accumulate
• Rubbing the eyes with dirty hands
• Blepharitis or other conditions affecting oil glands
• Stress, hormonal changes, or immune system fluctuations

Symptoms of a Stye

A developing stye may cause these signs before the bump appears:

• Itchy, irritated sensation along the eyelid
• Tenderness, soreness, or pain when blinking
• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Eyelid swelling, inflammation, redness

As the stye surfaces, symptoms intensify. A visible stye can cause:

• A round, red, extremely tender bump on the eyelid
• Swollen eyelid, which may force the eye partially shut
• Mucus discharge coming from the stye
• Crusting on the eyelid margins
• Multiple styes recurring along the lash line

Difference Between Blepharitis vs Styes

Although blepharitis and styes can both cause eyelid inflammation, these conditions differ in important ways:

Location

Where symptoms occur on the eyelid can indicate blepharitis or a stye:

• Blepharitis affects the eyelid margin near the base of the eyelashes.
• Styes occur along the edge, but form further up on the eyelid itself.

Appearance

Visibly, a stye and blepharitis appear quite different:

• Blepharitis causes general redness, scaly flakes, missing lashes, but no distinct bump.
• A stye is a focused, raised red bump that comes to a visible head.

Duration

Blepharitis and styes tend to persist for different lengths of time:

• Blepharitis is a chronic, ongoing inflammatory disorder.
• Styes are acute infections, often clearing up within a week or two.

Cause

The underlying reason for eyelid inflammation also differs:

• Blepharitis stems from generalized dysfunction of oil glands along the lash line.
• Styes result from infection of a single oil gland.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing blepharitis or recurrent styes:

Blepharitis Risk Factors

• Rosacea or scalp dandruff/seborrhea
• Eyelid abnormalities or lash misdirection
• Allergies, dermatitis, or eczema
• Previous eye surgery or injury
• Autoimmune disorders
• Contact lens wear

Stye Risk Factors

• Blepharitis
• Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage
• Diabetes
• Fatigue, stress
• Age - common in children

Complications

Without proper treatment, blepharitis and styes can cause further problems over time. Potential complications include:

Blepharitis Complications

• Eye dryness and light sensitivity
• Styes
• Chalazia (blocked, hardened oil glands)
• Corneal damage from inflammation
• Vision changes or blurred vision
• Eyelash loss

Stye Complications

• Cellulitis (serious skin infection)
• Preseptal cellulitis (infection behind the orbital septum)
• Chalazia
• Vision changes if stye presses on eyeball

When to Seek Medical Care

In most cases, mild blepharitis and styes can be managed at home. See an eye doctor promptly if you have:

• No improvement after 1 week of home treatment
• Increasing swelling, redness, pain, discharge, or crusting
• Eyelid redness that spreads
• Fever
• Blurry, double, or reduced vision
• Recurrent styes
• Symptoms impacting daily life

Rarely, a severe stye infection can progress to orbital cellulitis. Seek emergency care if you have:

• Sudden onset eye or eyelid swelling
• Bulging of eyeball
• Ocular pain with eye movement
• Headaches
• Vision loss

Diagnosing Blepharitis vs Styes

An eye doctor can diagnose blepharitis or a stye by:

Medical History

Discussing current symptoms and onset, past episodes, eye problems, health conditions, and hygiene habits.

External Exam

Checking the eyes, eyelids, eyelashes, and tear ducts with a slit lamp to spot inflammation, bumps, debris, or missing eyelashes.

Diagnostic Tests

Swabbing styes to identify bacteria or analyzing secretions to confirm blepharitis.

Treatment Options

Treatments for managing blepharitis and alleviating styes include:

Warm Compresses

Applying damp, warm cloths to the affected eyelid for 10 minutes two to four times daily can help express internal fluid and clear oil gland blockages to speed healing.

Eyelid Hygiene

Gently scrubbing eyelids with diluted baby shampoo using cotton pads or swabs daily helps treat blepharitis by removing bacteria, debris, and oily buildup.

Antibiotic Ointment

Applying antibiotic creams containing bacitracin or erythromycin directly on styes can eliminate infection and reduce swelling.

Oral Antibiotics

For more severe blepharitis or styes not responding to other measures, doctors may prescribe oral antibiotics to control infection and bacteria overgrowth.

Steroid Eye Drops

Short-term steroid drops can calm acute inflammation from moderate to severe blepharitis.

Eye Ointments

Applying lubricating ointments inside the eyelid margins before bedtime can prevent oil gland blockages and treat blepharitis dryness.

Surgery

For recurring, chronic blepharitis, doctors may surgically remove a section of eyelid margin tissue containing oil glands as a last resort.

Prevention Tips

You can help prevent blepharitis and styes by following these self-care tips:

• Clean eyelids daily with hypoallergenic cleanser to control bacteria and oil.
• Gently massage eyelids when washing to expressed blocked glands.
• Avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, and makeup to limit bacterial spread.
• Change eye makeup every 3 months.
• Replace contacts & cases regularly.
• Treat scalp, facial, and sinus conditions that contribute to blepharitis.
• Limit eye rubbing and apply warm (not hot) compresses instead to irritated eyes.

Outlook for Blepharitis and Styes

With proper at-home treatment, mild blepharitis and styes generally clear up on their own. More severe, chronic blepharitis is manageable but may require ongoing treatment.

If left untreated, blepharitis can recur, cause eye damage, and lead to vision problems over time. Rarely, a serious eye or skin infection can develop from antibiotic-resistant styes.

Following doctor's orders for medication, maintaining diligent eyelid hygiene, and avoiding triggers are key to successfully controlling blepharitis and preventing recurrent styes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.