Hordeolum

Updated: Feb 12, 2021
  • Author: Michael P Ehrenhaus, MD; Chief Editor: Edsel B Ing, MD, PhD, MBA, MEd, MPH, MA, FRCSC  more...
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Overview

Background

A hordeolum is a common disorder of the eyelid. [1] It is an acute focal infection (usually staphylococcal) involving either the glands of Zeis (external hordeola, or styes) or, less frequently, the meibomian glands (internal hordeola). [2]

"Hordeum" is Latin for barley, the appearance of which a hordeolum can resemble.

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Pathophysiology

There is usually underlying meibomitis with thickening and stasis of gland secretions with resultant inspissation of the Zeis or meibomian gland orifices. Stasis of the secretions leads to secondary infection, usually by Staphylococcus aureus. [3] Histologically, hordeola represent focal collections of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and necrotic debris (ie, an abscess).

Hordeola should not be confused with chalazia, which represent focal, chronic, lipogranulomatous inflammation of the Zeis or meibomian glands. [4] Chalazia form when underlying meibomitis results in stasis of gland secretions, and the contents of the glands (sebum) are released into the tarsus and adjacent tissues to incite a noninfectious inflammatory reaction. Histologically, chalazia appear as a granulomatous reaction (ie, histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells) surrounding clear spaces that were once occupied by sebum/lipid before they were dissolved by the solvents used for tissue processing, hence the term lipogranuloma.

Essentially, a hordeolum represents an acute focal infectious process, while a chalazion represents a chronic, noninfectious granulomatous reaction. However, chalazia often evolve from internal hordeola. [5]

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Hordeola are common in clinical practice, but no data are available on the precise incidence and prevalence in the United States.

International

No data are available on the incidence and prevalence of hordeola internationally. However, hordeola are among the most common eyelid lesions in clinical practice.

Race

There is no known racial predilection to developing hordeola.

Sex

There is no sexual predilection to developing hordeola. Both men and women seem to be equally affected.

Age

Hordeola are more common in adults than in children, possibly because of a combination of higher androgenic levels (and increased viscosity of sebum), higher incidence of meibomitis, and rosacea in adults. However, hordeola can occur in children.

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