Complications

Complication
Timeframe
Likelihood
short term
medium

Acute stye can impede normal drainage of sebum from meibomian glands, resulting in chalazion formation.

short term
low

An untreated stye may progress to a more generalized cellulitis of the eyelid. If allowed to progress, it may result in periorbital and, rarely, orbital cellulitis.

Any progression beyond a very localized pustule or nodule should be monitored closely for cellulitis, which might require oral or intravenous antibiotics.[13]

Periorbital and orbital cellulitis

variable
low

Complications of acute styes are rare but do include disruption of eyelash growth, deformities, and fistulas of the eyelid.

Chalazia, given their more chronic nature, are more likely to result in chronic skin changes overlying the inflammatory reaction.

variable
low

Large lesions of the upper eyelid have been reported to cause corneal surface aberrations and visual changes by inducing astigmatism. Excision of large lesions should be considered.[27]​[28]​[29]​

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