Hordeolum (Barleycorn)

In hordeolum – colloquially called barleycorn – (synonyms: Abscess of the meibomian glands; Eyelid abscess; Eyelid furuncle; Eyelid carbuncle; Inflammation of the meibomian glands; Inflammation of the minor glands; Inflammation of the Zeis glands; Sty of the meibomian glands; Sty of the Zeis glands; Hordeolum; Hordeolum externum; Hordeolum internum; Infection of the meibomian glands; Infection of the Zeis glands; infected eyelid cyst; infected cyst of meibomian glands; infected eyelid steatoma; internal sty; eyelid abscess; eyelid gland abscess; eyelid furuncle; eyelid phlegmon; eyelid margin abscess; meibomitis; recurrent hordeolum; deep eyelid inflammation; deep eyelid infection; ciliary folliculitis; external sty; lat. hordeum “barley”; ICD-10-GM H00.0: Hordeolum and other deep inflammation of the eyelid) is an acute inflammation of the eyelid glands.

When hordeolum occurs in a clustered fashion or occurs in multiple eyelid glands, it is referred to as hordeolosis.

The disease is caused by staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus) in 90-95% of cases. Rarely, streptococci are the trigger of the disease.

The transmission of the pathogen (infection route) is contact or smear infection.

Two forms of hordeolum can be distinguished:

  • Hordeolum internum – here the meibomian glands (sebaceous glands) are affected; it comes to the pus breakthrough to the inside.
  • Hordeolum externum – here are the so-called Zeis (hair follicle glands) or the Moll glands (sweat glands) affected; it comes to the pus breakthrough to the outside

Course and prognosis: Hordeolum in itself is harmless and usually heals spontaneously (by itself) without therapy. If the disease is chronic or recurrent (recurring), this may indicate immunodeficiency (weakened immune system) or diabetes mellitus disease.