Medication for Stye

If warm compresses don’t shrink a stye or a chalazion, your NYU Langone eye doctor may prescribe medication.

An antibiotic, in the form of a topical cream or eyedrops, may be used in conjunction with warm compresses. Eyedrops and creams are usually used four times a day for one to two weeks.

Your doctor monitors your progress while you are on the medication to see if the bump is shrinking. If it doesn’t shrink, your doctor may consider draining it surgically.