Hordeolum

Bilaterally advanced hordeola.

A hordeolum is a purulent infection of the sebaceous and perspiratory glands of the eyelids. During infections within the outer border/edge of the eyelid, it is mostly an infection of the „Moll“- and/or „Zeiss“-glands. If the infection is at al lower/deeper position, it is mostly an infection of the „Meibom“-glands (chalazion). A hordeolum is caused by a bacterial infection.

Risk factors are lack of hygiene, contact lenses, make-up or a weak immune system in the course of systemic diseases.

Painful and purulent swellings, foreign body sensation, epiphora and sometimes even fever are some of the symptoms.

Complications are abscesses of the eyelids, phlegmon of the orbit (expansion of the infection into the orbit) and rarely cerebral thrombosis (if the hordeolum is crushed wrongly).

In general a hordeolum is harmless, if it is treated in the right way. Antibacterial ophthalmologic salves and drops help the patients. If salves or drops do not help after a while, a surgical treatment is necessary.