In the management of a hordeolum, which self-care measure should be continued long term to help prevent recurrence?

• A. Lid scrubs on a long-term basis to prevent recurrence.
• B. Regular eyelid tinting.
• C. Frequent steroid eye drops.
• D. Daily contact lens wear.

Answer: (A)

Keeping up daily lid hygiene with lid scrubs is the preventive measure because hordeola often recur when the lid margins stay crusted and colonized with bacteria, especially with concurrent blepharitis. Regular cleansing reduces crusts and bacterial load, helps keep the meibomian glands clear, and lowers the chance of reinfection, making recurrence less likely. In contrast, eyelid tinting isn’t a standard preventive practice, frequent steroid drops carry risks and aren’t a routine self-care strategy, and daily contact lens wear can irritate the lid margin and increase infection risk rather than prevent it.