Question

Which of the following are true about Hordeolum?

A. Distension of the tarsal gland with secretions

B. Localized inflammation of hair follicles of eye lashes

C. Contains cheesy material

D. Caused due to staphylococcal infection

Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. A and B only
• B. C and D only
• C. B and C only
• D. B and D only

Hint:

The most important exam distinction is: Hordeolum = acute infectious stye; Chalazion = meibomian gland obstruction with cheesy material.
Remember Hordeolum + Staphylococcus + eyelash margin.
If the question mentions a tarsal or meibomian gland filled with thick, cheesy material, think chalazion, not hordeolum.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hordeolum, commonly called a stye, is an acute localized inflammatory or suppurative lesion of the eyelid.
An external hordeolum involves structures associated with the eyelashes, particularly the glands of Zeis or Moll at the eyelid margin.
It is commonly associated with infection by Staphylococcus species.
Hordeolum should be distinguished from a chalazion, which is associated with obstruction of a tarsal or meibomian gland and characteristically contains thick, cheesy material.
Detailed Explanation:
Statement A: False.
Distension of a tarsal or meibomian gland with retained secretion is characteristic of a chalazion, rather than a typical hordeolum.
A chalazion results primarily from obstruction of the meibomian gland and subsequent accumulation of its secretion.
Therefore, statement A does not correctly describe hordeolum.
Statement B: True.
An external hordeolum is a localized acute inflammation or abscess involving the structures associated with an eyelash follicle.
Clinically, it appears as a painful, localized swelling near the eyelid margin.
Therefore, localized inflammation involving the hair follicles of the eyelashes is consistent with hordeolum.
Statement C: False.
Cheesy or caseous-looking material is classically associated with a chalazion, which develops because of obstruction and inflammation of a meibomian gland.
Hordeolum is an acute infectious inflammatory lesion and is not characterized by the typical cheesy material described for a chalazion.
Statement D: True.
Hordeolum is commonly caused by bacterial infection, particularly by Staphylococcus aureus.
The infection produces localized inflammation and suppuration at the eyelid margin or within the affected glandular structure.
Therefore, staphylococcal infection is an important cause of hordeolum.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Statements B and D are true, whereas statements A and C describe features more closely associated with a chalazion.
Hence, the correct answer is (D) B and D only.