How Do I Get Rid of a Stye Overnight?

 

This is What I Tell My Patients

This is probably the most common question I get on social media.  "How do I get rid of a stye overnight?" People want 100% recovery and they want it fast. When there's a huge - honking - ugly bump on your eye . . . the truth hurts. I tell my patients that OVERNIGHT is not gonna happen. Instead, let's shoot for daily improvement with 90% resolvement in ABOUT 10-14 days depending on how aggressive they want to be with their eye care treatment plan.

EXCEPTION: The ONLY type of stye cases I've seen that resolve overnight are the ones when my patient feels a stye starting . . . and they know what to do to zap it overnight. These are what I call 'pre-styes." See Stye Cleansing System Quick Start Guide at the bottom of this blog post for the steps.

 

EYE CARE TREATMENT PLAN OPTIONS

 

 

Here's a list of ways to nurture a stye to heal in the fastest time possible. I pick and choose from this list to write a personalized treatment plan depending on the case. No two styes are the same. Some are nice. Some are just plan vicious. Here we are discussing styes that have been officially diagnosed as INFECTIVE in the exam room. Let's start:

•  Compression: Passive & Cold.
  • Sometimes the eye is too hot for a warm compress. First, apply a cold, clean damp cloth to the affected area for 10-15 minutes, 3-4X a day to provide comfort and help reduce inflammation and swelling.
•  Compression, Passive & Warm:
  • Apply a very warm, clean damp cloth to the affected area for 10-15 minutes, 3-4X a day to help encourage drainage. 
• Rx, oral antibiotic:
  • Used if I suspect or diagnosis pre-septal cellulitis. Remember the eyes are close to the sinuses which is close to the brain. Never wait on or mess with pre-septal cellulitis. 
• Rx, antibiotic eye drops:
  • I really like antibiotic eye drops for infected lower eyelid styes. Some examples include: Ciprofloxacin, Azasite, Tobramyin, etc.
• Rx, antibiotic-steroid eye drops:
  • This is needed for above plus if the patient is experiencing inflammation and/or discomfort. Some examples include: Tobradex, Maxitrol, Zylet, etc.
• Rx, antibiotic eye ointment:
  • I like ointments for infected upper eyelid styes. 2 very common ones are Erythromycin and Bacitracin ophthalmic ointments.
• Rx, antibiotic-steroid eye ointment:
  • For the above plus if the patient is experiencing inflammation and/or discomfort. 2 common ones are: TobraDex and Maxitrol.
• Maintain Daily Eyelid Hygiene:
  • Stye Cleansing System to be used once the stye has calmed down form it's peak flare up phase. See Stye Cleansing System Quick Start Guide below.
• No Picking, Playing, Popping:
  • My slit lamp doesn't lie. I know when a patient has played with the stye. It just delays healing. Popping a stye can cause an ugly eyelid scar too. Stop it. 
• Avoid Touching:
  • Strict instructions to keep hands away from the stye to prevent additional irritation or re-infection.
• Energy Device:
  • Some styes are immediately good candidates for energy device for fast repair and healing. This is a judgment call made by your Dry Eye Specialist Optometrist. Some examples include: red light therapy and intense pulsed light. 
• Over-the-Counter Options:
  • Consideration for OTC pain relievers or anti-inflammatory such as Tylenol and Advil. Always follow package instructions.

 

Additional Tips for Comfort

 

• Rest Well: Sleep is one of the best ways to allow your body to repair, fight infection, and heal. At least 8 hours a night. Naps are good too. 
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water supports overall healing.
• No Eye Makeup. No Eyelash Extensions: Hard N.O. until 100% resolved. Eye makeup and extensions just cause irritation, are traps for bacteria, and delay healing. 
• Monitor the Stye: If the stye worsens or doesn't improve, always reach out and make contact with your optometrist. ALWAYS monitor for pre-septal cellulitis. 

 

 

Stye Cleansing System Quick Start Guide

• Roll the Heat: Heat Focused Eye Roll under rolling warm/hot water to drain the debris. Roll area of concern. This is a rolling, active compression method. Each session only last 30 seconds.
• Scrub the Exit Site: Place 1 drop of Cleansing Oil (brown or green label) on Eyelid Margin Scrub Brush to clean and allow stye debris to naturally drain.
• Wash Off: Always complete the double cleanse to wash away drained stye debris and also to keep the eyelid skin barrier healthy. Use foaming cleanser (blue or purple label).
• Spray it Clean: With eyes closed, spray Calm Eyelid & Eyelash Cleansing Spray to keep the area spotless.

Read the extended tutorial here: READ. Shop the system here: SHOP.