Does a sty have to be operated on?

Hordeolum does not necessarily require surgical treatment.

Hordeolum is a common acute suppurative inflammation of eyelid glands and eyelash hair follicles. The itching gradually intensifies at the beginning, the eyelids are swollen and congested, with pain and tenderness, and a induration can be felt near the eyelid margin. After 2 to 3 days of occurrence, the induration gradually softens, forming yellow pustules at the root of the eyelashes, which penetrate and drain the pus quickly. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to drain or remove the pus, but this depends on the severity, development, and individual differences of the sty.

In most cases, the symptoms can be relieved and gradually resolved with non-surgical treatments such as hot compresses, topical antibiotic eye drops, or eye ointment. Therefore, not all sty cases require surgery.