Until this point I hadn't had a stye for many years and I'd forgotten just how horrible a bad one can be. I vaguely recall going to the pharmacist at the time and was given eyedrops. Or at least that's what I recall unless my memory is playing tricks. Anyway, so I nipped along to my local pharmacist expecting the same this time. I arrived nice and early - about five minutes before they opened and the shutters were still down. That's fair enough. What I didn't expect to find was a queue of six other people already standing there waiting. Oh joy - seventh in line and I'd only nipped out of work expecting to be no more than half an hour or so, including the travel there and back. I'd have gone on my way into work if they'd opened at 8am, but they (and practically all of them for some reason) only open at 9am.
Instead, it took me almost half an hour to get seen to once the shutters were up and we were allowed in. There was of course the typical old lady picking up a prescription at the front of the queue, telling her life story to the poor woman behind the counter who clearly wasn't interested - seeing the queue behind this lady was the length of the shop with me just about getting in through the door. Anyway, when it was my turn it was indeed confirmed to be a stye. I explained that I'd had it for the last four or so days at this point and it wasn't showing signs of any improvement. Was I offered anything, despite looking as if someone had punched me in the eye? No. I was told to just dab it with warm clean water and cotton wool. Something I'd already been doing... "Oh, you'll have to do that for a while yet" was the response. So, after half an hour in that queue, I was basically told to do what I was already doing...
Thanks. So, fast forward more than another week of eye-bathing two/three times a day before there's any improvement worthwhile mentioning. Fortunately it's very much on 'the mend' now but this stye has been a particularly nasty one. It's still moderately red, but the swelling has certainly come down and it no longer looks as if I have a black eye. I still reckon I should have been eye drops or some other form of treatment. Maybe that's the modern approach to medicine? If you're not literally on your last legs, on you go... I'm aware our resident doctor is struggling with his vision these days sadly, but if he returns and sees this, it would be interesting to see what his comments are on this and give me his opinion. I appreciate a stye is something which you have to let run it's course, but if it's been clearly bothering you for quite some time, then surely a little intervention is required?