Hordeolum refer to the bumps (styes) that appear on the eyelids, which is why they are also known as eyelid bumps. A stye is basically a swollen oil gland on the border of the eyelid, where the lid meets the lash. It is caused by the skin bacteria which enters the oil glands into the eyelids that lubricate the tear film. Hordeolum appears like a pimple (somewhat like an acne pimple) and is soft in touch. There could be more than one stye at a single point of time. Hordeolum can advance to a chalazion when the swollen oil gland gets completely blocked. When a chalazion widens, it causes visionary problems.