From the Research
Bilateral styes are relatively uncommon, but can occur simultaneously on both eyes, especially in individuals with underlying conditions such as poor eyelid hygiene, chronic blepharitis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, or a compromised immune system. The development of styes is often associated with an infection of the oil gland at the edge of the eyelid, typically caused by Staphylococcus bacteria that are normally present on the skin 1. According to a study published in 2022, the most common diagnoses in primary care practices and emergency departments related to eye conditions include corneal abrasion, corneal foreign body, conjunctivitis, external hordeolum (stye), and subconjunctival hemorrhage 2.
Some key points to consider when dealing with bilateral styes include:
- Treatment typically involves warm compresses applied to both eyes for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily to help bring the stye to a head and promote drainage
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with discomfort
- Avoid wearing eye makeup or contact lenses until the styes resolve
- If the styes don't improve within a week, are particularly painful, affect your vision, or recur frequently, it is recommended to see an eye doctor who might prescribe antibiotic ointments like erythromycin or bacitracin 3
- Recurring bilateral styes may indicate an underlying condition that needs medical attention
It's also worth noting that a study published in 2023 found that searches for styes on Google Trends were cyclical in the United States and globally, with a steady increase from 2004 to 2020, and peak search volume index months were 7.9 months in the United States and 6.8 months worldwide 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study on the topic of styes, published in 2022, found that the addition of an antibiotic to conservative measures for a chalazion or hordeolum was not associated with an increased likelihood of treatment success 3.