When Can You Start Wearing Contacts After Stye? Tips for Proper Healing

Understanding Styes

A stye, also known as a hordeolum, is a painful lump that develops on the eyelid when an oil gland becomes clogged. Styes are similar to pimples and often appear as red, swollen bumps on the upper or lower eyelid. While styes can affect anyone, they tend to be more common in children and young adults. Styes are usually harmless, but can be uncomfortable and cause temporary vision problems.

What Causes a Stye?

There are a few different factors that can lead to a stye:

• Blocked Oil Gland - Styes form when an oil gland along the eyelid becomes blocked. This allows bacteria, dead cells, and oils to become trapped and inflamed.
• Bacterial Infection - Styes are often caused by a bacterial infection of the oil gland. The most common bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus.
• Poor Hygiene - Failing to clean the eyelids properly can allow bacteria to build up along the lash line, increasing the risk of a stye.
• Stress - Increased stress levels may make some people more prone to styes.
• Using Expired Makeup - Using old and contaminated makeup products can expose the eyes to bacteria.

Symptoms of a Stye

The most common symptoms of a stye include:

• Bump on the eyelid - Styes start out as small, red, swollen lumps.
• Pain - The area may feel sore, irritated, and tender to the touch.
• Itching or Burning - A stye can cause a scratchy, itchy sensation along the eyelid.
• Watery Eyes - You may experience increased tearing or discharge.
• Crusting - A white or yellow discharge may drain from the stye.
• Blurry vision - If the stye is large, it can cause blurred vision.
• Sensitivity to light - Bright light may worsen discomfort.

In some cases, styes can rupture and release pus. This provides relief from the buildup of pressure. Styes often start small but can continue to grow larger and more painful if left untreated.

Who Gets Styes?

While anyone can get a stye, there are some factors that may increase your risk:

• Younger ages - Styes tend to affect children and young adults more commonly.
• Prior styes - If you've had a stye before, you're more likely to get another.
• Eye trauma - Damage to the eyelid makes a stye more likely.
• Blepharitis - This chronic eyelid inflammation can increase risk.
• Staphylococcus aureus - Being a carrier of this bacteria makes a stye more likely.
• Rosacea - This chronic skin condition is linked to styes.
• Seborrheic dermatitis - This skin condition can trigger styes.
• Diabetes, lupus, RA - Certain medical conditions are associated with styes.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, styes can be treated at home without medical care. However, you should make an appointment with your doctor if:

• The stye does not improve within a week of home treatment.
• The stye becomes very large and painful.
• You develop any vision changes, like decreased vision.
• You experience eye pain, light sensitivity, or redness.
• You have recurring styes that do not respond to treatment.
• You have other concerning symptoms like fever or eyelid swelling.

Seeking prompt medical care is recommended if the stye is affecting your vision or not improving. Rarely, a stye that does not heal can develop into a chalazion, which is a larger, long-lasting bump on the eyelid.

Treating a Stye

Home Treatments

Most small styes can be cared for at home using simple self-care techniques:

• Warm Compresses - Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the affected eyelid for 10-15 minutes multiple times per day can help encourage drainage and healing.
• Eyelid Massage - Gently massaging the area can help unclog the oil gland.
• Stye Ointment - Over-the-counter antibiotic ointments containing bacitracin or neomycin can also be applied directly to the stye.
• Pain Medication - Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen can temporarily relieve discomfort.
• Avoid Eye Makeup - Don't apply eyeliner or eyeshadow until the stye has healed.
• Proper Hygiene - Keeping the eye area clean can prevent recurrence.

With frequent warm compresses and massage, most small styes will open and drain within 3-4 days before disappearing completely within a week. Do not try to pop or squeeze a stye like a pimple, as this can worsen infection.

Medical Treatments

If home treatments are ineffective and the stye continues to worsen, your doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotic Eye Ointment - Antibiotic creams containing polymyxin B, bacitracin, or erythromycin can clear infection.
• Oral Antibiotics - For severe or recurrent styes, oral antibiotics may be needed.
• Steroid Injections - A steroid like cortisone can reduce inflammation.
• Surgery - Draining a large, painful stye surgically may be required.

Follow your doctor's treatment instructions carefully and attend all follow-up appointments. Call your doctor promptly if symptoms do not improve within 1-2 days of starting treatment.

Preventing Future Styes

You can reduce your risk of developing another stye by:

• Washing eyelids daily with warm water - This prevents oil and bacteria buildup.
• Applying warm compresses - This helps loosen and drain clogged oil glands.
• Avoiding sharing towels or makeup - Don't share items that contact the eyes.
• Replacing old eye makeup - Throw out products after their expiration date.
• Treating eye infections early - See a doctor promptly if you suspect an infection.
• Managing chronic eye conditions - Follow treatment plans for blepharitis or rosacea.
• Reducing stress - Find healthy ways to manage stress levels.

With proper hygiene and early treatment of symptoms, you can reduce recurrence and complication risks. See an ophthalmologist regularly and contact them if you experience multiple styes.

Wearing Contacts After a Stye

Let the Stye Heal Completely

Before resuming contact lens wear, it is crucial to allow the stye to heal fully. Putting contacts back in too soon can irritate the eye, worsen infection, and prolong healing. You should wait until:

• All swelling and redness has resolved
• No more pain, tenderness, or itching
• The eyelid has returned to normal
• No more oozing or discharge
• Vision has gone back to normal

This usually takes around 5-7 days after treatment begins, but can take longer for severe styes. Do not rush the healing process. Let your ophthalmologist examine your eye and give the all-clear before wearing contacts again.

Practice Proper Contact Hygiene

To prevent complications or recurrence of styes, be diligent

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.