There’s no direct evidence connecting lack of sleep or even stress to eye styes. One does not directly link to the other. However, there is strong evidence that suggests that eye styes are more likely if you suffer from a lack of sleep.

Why? Stress and too-little sleep both impact your immunity. When the immune system isn’t working to the best of its ability , you are much more likely to develop an infection. A stye is an example of an infection, so it makes sense that styes would be more likely when you’re sleep-deprived.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can prevent and treat a stye at home. Although eye styes are definitely not any fun to deal with, they shouldn’t cause you any more stress or lack of sleep.

So get some shut-eye, take care of yourself, and relax - your eye stye will likely take care of itself with time!