What should you know about internal eye stye?

An internal stye, also called a hordeolum, develops within an eyelid gland. It may cause local swelling, soreness, redness, watering, a gritty sensation or a small area of eye discharge. The eyelid can feel heavy, and blinking may be uncomfortable. It is different from a painless, firm blocked-gland lump that can remain after inflammation settles. Nearby red eye or discharge can have other causes, so the whole eye matters during assessment. Avoid squeezing the lump because this can irritate the tissue and spread inflammation.

Wash your hands before touching the eyelid. Hold a clean, comfortably warm cloth against the closed eye for several minutes, repeating it through the day, and gently clean away any crusting. Pause eye makeup and contact lenses until the eye is comfortable and clear. Do not share towels, cosmetics or eye drops. A GP consultation can help if the lump is persistent, recurrent or particularly painful; treatment depends on the examination.

Seek urgent eye care for reduced or blurred vision, severe eye pain, pain with eye movement, marked light sensitivity, swelling around the eye, fever, or difficulty opening the eye. Arrange a prompt review if redness spreads, discharge increases, the eyelid becomes increasingly swollen, or symptoms are not improving with gentle care. A stye that keeps returning may need assessment for an eyelid condition or contributing irritation.

Is this an internal stye or another eyelid problem? How should I apply a warm compress? Should I stop contact lenses or a particular product? What changes mean I need urgent eye care?