Recovery & Support for Stye

Most people recover from a stye or a chalazion after it goes away on its own or after treatment with warm compresses or medication. If the stye doesn’t respond to these therapies, surgery is usually effective.

After surgery, your NYU Langone eye specialist may want to see you within one or two weeks to make sure your eye is healing properly. If your doctor removed the entire stye or chalazion, it should not recur.

In rare instances, the contents of the stye or chalazion may not have been removed entirely because of its size or location. If this occurs, a repeat surgical procedure may be necessary.

Some people may never have another stye or chalazion. Others may have recurring bumps on their eyelids throughout their lives. Because there are so many glands on the rim of the eyelid, it’s always possible for another blockage to occur in the future.

There is no proven way to prevent a stye, but stress, fatigue, and not thoroughly washing your face and eyes can put you at risk of developing one. Your NYU Langone eye specialist can offer advice on how to lower the risk of this occurring. 

Get Enough Sleep

Styes tend to occur when people are run down or stressed. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. 

Keep Eyes Clean

Because clogged eyelid glands can become infected and cause styes, take the time to wash your face thoroughly and remove any eye makeup before going to bed. Also, refrain from rubbing your eyes. Bacteria can spread from your hands to your eyelid.

Apply Warm Compresses

If you are prone to developing styes and chalazia because you have blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelid, you can apply warm compresses to your eyes regularly. Also, occasionally using eyelid scrubs—over-the-counter, premoistened pads that you apply to the lid—can keep your eyes clean and lower your risk of styes.