Stye is a disease caused by a bacterial infection, usually occurring on the upper and lower eyelids, causing pain at the site of the lump or abscess. Besides using antibiotics, draining the pus from the eyelid is another method that can help the inflammation heal faster.
Why is it necessary to drain the pus from the eyelid?
- To reduce the risk of eyelid deformity (the scar will look better than if it bursts on its own)
- To help the inflammation heal faster
In cases where a clear abscess is found, treatment may start with antibiotics, both topical and oral. However, if it does not subside, drainage is recommended.
If a stye does not subside and becomes chronic… it may cause severe complications
If the pus does not subside and the patient does not undergo drainage, a scar resembling a tumor-like mass may form on the eyelid (caused by the pus bursting on its own), which will require surgical correction later and result in scarring.
Procedure for draining pus in a stye
- Instill anesthetic drops 2-3 times in the eye to be drained (to prepare for pus drainage under sterile conditions)
- Inject local anesthetic gently on the eyelid near the abscess using the smallest needle size
- Once the doctor confirms numbness, proceed to drain the pus (using sterile technique)
- After drainage, apply an antiseptic and then tightly cover the eye for about 3 hours (to stop bleeding from the wound). If the patient drove themselves, the eye may be tightly covered for only 30 minutes to 1 hour before removing the cover (provided there is no bleeding tendency)
Patient care for stye
Before the procedure
- Avoid medications that increase bleeding risk such as blood thinners, NSAIDs, supplements containing Omega 3, vitamin E, and herbal medicines (ginseng, reishi mushroom) for 7 days before drainage, as these increase the risk of excessive bleeding or delayed clotting during pus drainage.
After the procedure
- Resume normal daily activities but avoid getting the wound wet for about 7 days (to reduce the risk of infection at the wound site)
- Use antibiotic drops and ointments as prescribed by the doctor for at least 7 days. If inflammation persists, continue the medication for another 7 days, totaling 14 days (if unsure, return to see the doctor for evaluation)
- Avoid water sports, activities causing heavy sweating, exposure to dust/wind, and strenuous exercise for about 7 days as these may cause reinfection or bleeding (which prolongs recovery time)
Possible side effects of stye
- The eyelid may bruise from the drainage procedure
- Recurrent abscess due to poor hygiene or antibiotic-resistant bacteria (bacteria vary between individuals)
- Scarring at the drainage site (may occur in patients prone to scarring, such as those with diabetes or poor general health, who tend to heal slower than others)
- Corneal abrasion (very rare), caused by incomplete or insufficient eye patching, or if the patient opens their eye before the patch is removed and then closes it again, causing the patch to rub against the cornea. The eye should be patched as directed, preferably by eye clinic staff.
- Eye pain from the drainage wound; in this case, paracetamol can be taken for pain relief. If pain is severe, return to see the doctor.
Note In cases of stye drainage in children who cannot cooperate or are very fearful, general anesthesia is recommended for safety (to reduce the risk of accidental eye injury during local anesthetic injection).
