Eye malady is a term used to describe any type of eye disorder or disease. Two common eye maladies are iritis and STYE. Iritis is an inflammation of the iris, the colored part of the eye, and is usually caused by an infection or autoimmune disorder. A STYE is an infection of the eyelid caused by bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus. It is characterized by a red, swollen bump on the eyelid. Both iritis and STYE can be treated with antibiotics and other medications.