I spy...

in my left eye, a big ole' nasty STYE :(.

Yes, was totally jazzed about seeing clients today until I woke up and realized that my eye had other plans for me. So major mad props to Columbia Eye Clinic, who worked me in and I was able to be seen in a flash.

Then this girl got edu-ma-cated that I gots a stye. According to webmd:

A stye is an infection that causes a tender red lump on the eyelid. Most styes occur along the edge of the eyelid. When a stye occurs inside the eyelid, it is called an internal hordeolum (say "hor-dee-OH-lum").

What causes a stye or chalazion?

Styes are caused by a bacterial infection. Usually the bacteria grow in the root (follicle) of an eyelash. An internal hordeolum is caused by infection in one of the tiny oil glands inside the eyelid.

What are the symptoms?

A stye usually starts as a red bump that looks like a pimple along the edge of the eyelid.

• As the stye grows, the eyelid becomes swollen and painful, and the eye may water.
• Most styes swell for about 3 days before they break open and drain. (Lovely!!)
  
• Styes usually heal in about a week. (Grrreeeaaatttt)
  

So because I've never had a stye before, I'm feeling a bit like a moron b/c I cancelled all my clients today. This morning, my eye looks very angry and possibly like pink eye so I erred on the side of caution.

Now I must go have some private time with a warm compress.