What are the key symptoms of a hordeolum?

• A. Red, painful bump along the eyelid margin, swelling, crusting, tearing, sensitivity to light.
• B. Painless swelling of the eyelid.
• C. Gradual vision loss.
• D. Itchy but non-inflammatory sensation.

Answer: (A)

An acute eyelid infection of the glands at the lash line presents as a red, painful lump along the eyelid margin with swelling, crusting, tearing, and sometimes light sensitivity. This combination of sudden onset, localized tenderness, erythema at the lid margin, crusting at the lashes, and tearing is classic for a hordeolum (stye). The other descriptions fit different conditions: a painless lid swelling usually points to a chalazion, a gradual vision loss suggests a problem farther back in the eye or optic pathway, and an itchy but non-inflammatory sensation aligns more with allergic conjunctivitis or dry eye rather than an acute bacterial eyelid infection.