Pink Eye vs. Stye: Understanding the Differences & Symptoms
Both pink eye (conjunctivitis) and styes can cause discomfort, redness, and swelling around the eye, but they are different conditions requiring distinct treatments. Identifying which one you're dealing with is important for your eye health and peace of mind.
While both conditions are typically non-threatening, they can be painful and disruptive, especially if left untreated. Let's break down the differences and similarities between pink eye and styes, their symptoms, causes, and treatments, so you can determine the next best steps for your eye care.
Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
Pink eye symptoms vary depending on the type (viral, bacterial, or allergic), but typical signs include:
Redness: The whites of your eyes may appear pink or red.
Itching: A constant itchiness that makes it difficult to keep your hands away from your eyes.
Tearing or Discharge: You might notice watery eyes or a thicker, pus-like discharge.
Blurry Vision: This can be caused by excess tearing or discharge clouding your vision.
Crusty Eyes: Upon waking up, your eyelids might feel glued shut from dried discharge.
Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling of the eyelids or conjunctiva.
These symptoms may worsen over time, so if you notice an increase in severity, it’s important to see an eye care professional.
Symptoms of a Stye
A stye is a small, painful lump near the edge of your eyelid, often caused by a bacterial infection of the oil glands in the eyelid. Symptoms include:
Lump on the Eyelid: This bump may be on the inside or outside of the eyelid, often resembling a pimple.
Pain and Tenderness: The area around the stye may become sore or tender to the touch.
Swollen Eyelid: Your entire eyelid may swell, even if the stye is small.
Light Sensitivity: You may experience discomfort when exposed to bright lights.
Gritty Sensation: A stye can make it feel like there’s something in your eye.
Eye Tearing: Excess tearing may occur as the body reacts to the stye.
Most styes clear up on their own, but if you experience worsening symptoms, it’s best to consult with an eye doctor.
Pink eye is commonly caused by:
Viruses: Viral conjunctivitis is often caused by the same viruses that lead to colds, such as adenovirus or herpes simplex. It spreads easily through direct contact with infected tears, mucus, or contaminated surfaces.
Bacteria: Bacterial conjunctivitis, often due to Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, can cause thick, yellow-green discharge and swelling. This form is usually treated with antibiotic eye drops.
Allergies: Allergic conjunctivitis occurs when your eyes react to allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust, resulting in itchy, red, and watery eyes.
Irritants: Exposure to smoke, chemicals, or foreign bodies can also cause pink eye.
If you think you are suffering from pink eye click HERE to book an appointment with Dr. Steven at Respect Eyecare.
Causes of a Stye
We discussed the causes of pink eye above, and now we will go over the causes that lead to the development of a stye. Pink eye and a stye may look similar, especially at a quick glance, but they are not the same when it comes to symptoms or causes, either. A stye is characterized by the lump on your eyelid, which can look like either a pimple or a boil.
These often appear around the eyelash follicle or one of the oil glands on your eyelid.
Styes are, generally, caused by an infection of the oil glands that can be found on your eyelids.
Some of the things that you may do that could irritate your eyes and cause a stye are rubbing your eyes too much or sleeping with your makeup on. Wearing disposable contacts for too long to extend their lifespan can lead to a stye, too.
Pink Eye Treatment
If you have determined that you have pink eye, you likely now want to know how you should go about treating the issue. It is important to note that, in the beginning, you may be able to use home remedies– however, if these do not work, you will absolutely need to go see a medical professional.
If your pink eye is very mild, the home remedies may work. However, if these are unsuccessful, you may get prescribed antibiotic eyedrops for your pink eye when you go to see an eye doctor.
Most of home remedies are using things that can already be found in your house, which makes it easy for you to treat yourself. For instance, you can use cold compresses on the affected eye to reduce swelling and inflammation.
You should also avoid using your contact lenses until your pink eye has gone away. Another thing that you can do is get artificial tear eye drops and use these to help treat your eyes. You should try to avoid touching your eyes and should wash your bedding, too.
If these do not work antibiotic eye drops are usually prescribed by a doctor to help fight the bacteria. Pink eye symptoms range, and antibacterial eye drops will primarily deal with the source of the infection so cold cloths and not wearing your contact lenses can help with other pink eye symptoms.
Stye Treatment
If you have a stye, rather than pink eye, there are some other things that you can do in order to solve your issue.
There are things that you should avoid doing, as these can make your eye issue even worse, instead of better. Some of the things that you should do with pink eye can also work for styes– for example, one of the most important of these is not to wear your contact lenses until your stye is gone.
This is because inserting your contact lenses can end up exacerbating the stye and irritating the eye even more.
When it comes to treatment, the treatment for a stye focuses, first and foremost, on clearing the blockage from the infected oil gland on the eyelid. Remember, this blockage is what causes the stye in the first place. Clean and warm compresses with a proper microwavable eye mask on the eye for 10 minutes at a time is a good way to clear the blocked gland(s).
Be sure not to squeeze or pop the stye, which can make it worse instead and leave you with a permanent scar. If the stye is not going away, though, it may be time to go see an eye doctor. They can then prescribe oral antibiotics or drain the stye– which is not something you should try to do yourself.
When to See an Eye Doctor
You will likely want to try and solve your problem yourself at home, without seeing an eye doctor. Sometimes, with pink eye or styes, this is something that you will be able to do.
After all, we went over some home treatments for each eye issue above. However, there are some instances where you will need to go see an eye doctor and have the issue treated professionally– or to get a prescription for antibiotics.
Generally, if the issue has not gone away or shown any sign of improvement in 48 hours. If your vision is impaired in any way, or if the person affected is 5 years old or less, then you should also go see an eye doctor.
If you are experiencing pus that is green or yellow from the affected eye, you should go to the eye doctor to get treated right away. Similarly, if your eye becomes any other color beyond light red or pink, you should go to the doctor.
Pink Eye and Stye Prevention
Now, neither pink eye nor styes sound very fun, do they? Of course, if it is possible to avoid them, most people would want to do so. There are some precautions you can take to prevent both of these issues, or at least reduce your risk of developing either pink eye or a stye.
For instance, washing your hands well and often can help to avoid transmitting bacteria or foreign objects to your eyes– especially if you work with animals or children for a living. Wash your sheets, pillows, and other bedding frequently.
You should also always be sure to wash off your eye makeup at the end of the day, and opt for an oil free makeup remover to avoid blockages of the oil glands. Another thing to avoid is sharing any objects that touch your eyes– these may include washcloths, towels, or makeup products like mascara.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it's a stye or pink eye?
If you are experiencing pain or inflammation and redness in your eye, you may be wondering whether you are detailing with a stye or bacterial pink eye.
The largest of the differences between the two is that a stye will usually involve a lump or nodule on the surface of the eyelid.
Pink eye (bacterial pink eye), however, does not usually have a lump. This is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways for you to be able to tell the difference.
Can a stye look like pink eye?
Yes, a stye can look like pink eye! It can also be puffy, red, or inflamed, which is all common for pink eye. That being said, a stye will have some differences in appearance that can help you identify it.
A stye will be red or inflamed, but there will also be a hard, usually white colored lump or bump located on the eyelid. Usually, this is found on the inside of the eyelid which then causes the swelling and redness on the external part of the eye. However, it can also be found on the outside of the eyelid or eyelashes.
What does pink eye feel like when it first starts?
There are a few different feelings that you may experience when you are beginning to get pinkeye. Some of the ways that you can tell you are developing pinkeye are if you are seeing redness in one or both of your eyes, or have itchiness or a gritty feeling in either or both of the eyes.
Another way to tell is if you are getting a discharge from one or both of your eyes– this discharge may form a sort of crust that makes it difficult for you to open your eyes, especially after a nap or after waking up in the morning.
How do you tell if you have pink eye or just an irritated eye?
Pink eye will usually have symptoms such as pus or discharge that makes the eyes sticky, as well as redness and soreness of the eye.
If it is an irritated eye or allergies, you may find instead that you are experiencing the same redness of the eyes, but also a burning sensation. Instead of the pus or discharge that you may find with pink eye, a lot of times, another symptom of irritated eyes will be a more watery discharge instead.
About Dr. Steven Hoang
Dr. Steven Hoang, a licensed optometrist with over 10 years of experience, specializes in comprehensive eye care, including the diagnosis and management of conditions such as dry eye, corneal dystrophies, and other vision-related health issues. His extensive knowledge in ocular health, coupled with his patient-first approach, ensures that you receive the highest level of care. Dr. Hoang is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in eye care technology and treatment options. He is an active member of Alberta College of Optometrist. Learn more about Dr. Steven Hoang here and his professional background by visiting his LinkedIn profile.