Styes and Chalazion: Causes, Symptoms & Advanced Treatment with Envision at Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach

Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach Optometrists
15 minutes ago
3 min read

A sore, swollen eyelid can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and affect your vision. If you’ve noticed a red lump on your eyelid, you may be dealing with a stye or a chalazion. While these conditions are common, recurrent or persistent cases often signal an underlying eyelid health issue that needs professional care.

At Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach, we provide gentle, evidence-based treatment to address not just the lump itself, but the root cause behind it.

Do You Have Symptoms of a Stye?

You may have a stye (also known as a hordeolum) if you experience:

A red, swollen bump on your eyelid
Tenderness or pain when blinking
A heavy, sore, or irritated eyelid
A small pimple-like spot near the eyelashes
Watery or teary eyes
Crusting or discharge on the lashes
Blurred vision due to swelling
A foreign body sensation (feels like something is in your eye)

If these symptoms sound familiar, early treatment can help prevent complications and speed up recovery.

Understanding Styes and Chalazion

What Is a Stye?

A stye is a small, red, painful lump that forms when an oil gland or eyelash follicle becomes blocked and infected by bacteria.

What Causes a Stye?

The most common underlying cause is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

Here’s how it develops:

MGD → oil glands become blocked
Bacteria enter the blocked gland → infection forms
Result → a painful stye develops

This process often occurs alongside blepharitis, a chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins that causes redness, irritation, and crusting.

What Is a Chalazion?

If a stye does not fully resolve, ongoing blockage and inflammation can cause the lump to harden into a chalazion.

Typically firm and painless
Caused by persistent gland blockage rather than active infection

At Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach, we focus on treating both the infection and the gland dysfunction to prevent repeat episodes.

Advanced Stye & Chalazion Treatment (No Surgery Required)

We combine in-clinic technology with personalised home care to clear blocked glands, reduce inflammation, and support long-term eyelid health.

InMode Envision: RF & IPL Therapy

We’re proud to be the first optometry clinic in Australia to offer InMode Envision, an advanced treatment combining Radiofrequency (RF) and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

How it helps:

RF gently heats eyelid tissue to soften and unblock oil glands
IPL targets bacteria, reduces inflammation, and improves meibomian gland function
Helps reduce redness and recurrence of styes and chalazion

Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)

A gentle, non-invasive treatment that:

Reduces eyelid inflammation
Stimulates healing
Improves oil flow from glands

Ideal for patients with recurrent styes, blepharitis, or MGD.

Warm Compress & Eyelid Hygiene

We provide guidance on:

Safe and effective warm compress routines
Daily eyelid cleansing techniques
Long-term maintenance to prevent recurrence

Preventing Future Styes

Good eyelid hygiene is essential for long-term prevention. We recommend:

Cleaning eyelids daily with a gentle cleanser
Removing eye makeup before bed
Replacing eye cosmetics regularly
Washing hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses
Managing underlying conditions such as blepharitis or rosacea
Scheduling reviews if you experience recurrent styes

By addressing the root cause, we help keep your eyes comfortable, clear, and healthy.

Comprehensive Eyelid Care at Eyecare Plus Mermaid Beach

Our services include:

Stye assessment, treatment & management
Eyelid hygiene and cleansing programs
Blepharitis & Meibomian Gland Dysfunction care
Envision RF & IPL treatments
Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT)
Warm compress training & in-clinic debridement
Red eye and infection treatment
Foreign body removal

Our experienced optometrists Jackson Yip, Shaina Zheng, and Alicia Lou are committed to providing lasting relief, not just quick fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a stye last?Most styes resolve within 7–10 days, but professional treatment can speed recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Is a stye contagious?Styes are not usually contagious through casual contact, but avoid sharing towels or eye makeup and practise good eyelid hygiene.

What’s the difference between a stye and a chalazion?A stye is typically painful and infected, while a chalazion is usually painless and caused by persistent inflammation.