Duration
Usually the healing process of a pus pimple in the eye takes one week. In children or people with weakened immune system the healing process may be delayed. Moreover, not following the hygiene measures leads to a longer recovery period.
Pimples that develop in the inner eyelid are called inner barley grains. In the technical jargon one speaks of hordeolum internum. This is an acute inflammation of the Meibom glands.
The Meibom glands are sebaceous glands on the edge of the eyelid. These glands of the eyelid are located deeper in the eyelid. The function of the Meibom glands is to produce an oily secretion.
Although this secretion makes up only 1% of the tear fluid, it plays a decisive role in this process. The secretion of the Meibom glands provides a stable tear film. If the Meibom glands are inflamed, they can no longer perform this task adequately.
Dry eyes can develop. These in turn promote the inflammation of the glands. The pus pimples in the inner eyelid can be correspondingly persistent and extremely annoying.
The pus is emptied from the inside of the eyelid. As a rule, the pus pimples in the inner eyelid are caused by a local bacterial infection, as described above. If recurrent dry eyes and/or inner barley grains occur, a meibography can be performed.
This is a method of imaging the meibomian glands. Meibography is an infrared image. You can find more interesting information under: Eyelid inflammationPus pimples that develop in the corner of the eye, i.e. on the outside of the eyelid, are called outer barley grains.
In technical terminology, these hordeolum externum are referred to. There is an inflammation of the Zeis or minor glands. The minor glands are sweat glands in the area of the eyelid.
The minor glands are also called lash glands, because they are located there. Their functions are not yet sufficiently understood. It is known that they synthesize antimicrobial peptides.
It is therefore assumed that there is a connection to the body’s own defence of the ocular surface. The Zeis glands are sebaceous glands in the area of the eyelid, which are located at a different site than the Meibom glands. Like the minor glands, they are located on the hair follicles of the eyelashes.
They produce lipids, also known as sebum. When an external grain of barley is present, the pus accumulation breaks through to the outside. The danger of recurring barley grains can be increased by a weakened immune system and diabetes, as well as by cosmetics around the eyes or by wearing contact lenses.
