A Doctor's Guide to Treating and Preventing Styes

As an experienced Oculoplastic surgeon who treats thousands of patients with styes each year, I understand how frustrating and even debilitating they can be. While many styes  resolve on their own, the process is often slow and sometimes painful. That’s why I developed a line of over-the-counter products designed to support effective, non-surgical stye treatment using safe, natural and powerful ingredients - to help you find fast, gentle relief.  

What is a Stye?

A stye (or chalazion) is an acute inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelid. While their appearance and clinical course can vary, styes typically present as red, swollen bumps along or near the eyelid margin. They are often accompanied by pain, irritation, and sometimes watery eyes. Although many styes improve with simple home care - such as warm compresses and proper eyelid hygiene - they can linger or recur without proper treatment.  

Our Approach to Treatment

In my New York City practice, I see hundreds of patients with styes every month—many of whom are frustrated after trying multiple rounds of compresses, ointments, and drops without success. Most have already seen several providers: their primary care doctor, urgent care providers, an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, many health professionals are quick to dismiss styes or default to compresses alone, which often leaves patients feeling ignored and without relief.

I take a different approach. I begin by looking at the whole person—not just their eyes and eyelids, but their lifestyle, stress levels, and overall health. Stress is the number one cause of styes, particularly in a city like New York where intense pressure, poor sleep, and burnout are common. My patients often smile when I mention these factors—they know exactly what I mean.

While many oculoplastic surgeons go straight to surgery, I rarely operate on styes. I prefer other conservative, effective treatments. When drops and home care aren’t enough, I recommend a steroid injection, usually triamcinolone (Kenalog 10).  It is highly effective on all skin types, at all ages. For over half of my patients, the stye is gone in 3–4 days. Others, especially those with ongoing stress or elevated cortisol, may need repeated injections until things settle down.

This is why I created StyeRx—to give people something they can use at home to help styes go away faster. I recommend starting it at the first sign of a stye, continuing after a steroid injection to boost recovery, and then using it nightly for at least a month to reduce the chance of recurrence. For patients under chronic stress, I often suggest they make it part of their nightly routine long-term.

Our Products

Each product in the StyeRx line is crafted with safe, natural, and effective ingredients—offering a thoughtful, non-invasive approach to treating and preventing styes. While nothing matches the speed of a steroid injection for stubborn cases, everyone prefers to avoid procedures. These products are designed to help reduce inflammation, shorten the duration of styes, and lower the chance of recurrence—all from the comfort of home.

StyeRx Topical

Our original formula is a topical solution which is applied externally. Simply place one drop on the back of your hand, use your fingertip to apply it directly to the stye and surrounding area (including eyelashes and lid margin), and gently massage it in. The solution helps soothe inflammation and supports your body’s natural healing process. Most patients apply it four times daily and continue using it at bedtime to prevent recurrence. For people with chronic or widespread styes, I often recommend applying it nightly to both eyelids.

StyeRx Eyelid Cleanser

This foaming cleanser is more than just a hygiene tool. Yes, it’s gentle, hypoallergenic, and safe for makeup removal or eyelash extensions—but what sets it apart is the formula itself. With ingredients like colloidal silver, arnica, calendula, and niacinamide, it helps reduce inflammation and calm the eyelid skin. It can be used twice daily to maintain eye comfort and lower the risk of future styes—especially for those under chronic stress.

Coming Soon — StyeRx Disposable Wipes

Launching this spring, these individually wrapped wipes offer a convenient way to maintain eyelid care while traveling or on the go. They’re packed with the same powerful, natural ingredients found in our cleanser and are ideal for quick use anytime, anywhere.

Your Path to Clearer, Comfortable Eyes

We believe effective stye care should be simple, accessible, and rooted in real clinical experience. Whether you’re dealing with your first stye or face them frequently, our products offer a scientifically backed, patient-centered approach to treating and preventing styes. Explore our website for detailed product information, expert advice, and additional resources to support your eye health.

Remember: If you have persistent symptoms or concerns about your eye health, please consult with a qualified eye care professional.