What is orbital cellulitis?
Orbital cellulitis is an acute infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, specifically the eyelids, eyebrows and parts of the cheeks.
What are the symptoms of orbital cellulitis?
The symptoms that may appear are:
- Painful swelling of the upper and lower eyelid, possibly also the cheek and eyebrow.
- Decreased vision
- Bulging eyes
- Fever, usually 100°F (38.9°C) or higher
- Eye pain, especially when moving the eye
- General feeling of discomfort
- Bright, red or purple-colored eyelid
- Difficult or painful eye movements
What causes orbital cellulitis?
This condition is usually the result of sinusitis, the virus of which spreads to the aforementioned areas. The most common time of onset in patients is in childhood.
Can orbital cellulitis be prevented?
HiB vaccines prevent infections in children. Children who share a household with someone who has this infection may also need to take antibiotics to avoid getting sick. On the other hand, proper treatment of a sinus or dental infection can prevent it from spreading to the eyes.
What is the treatment of orbital cellulitis?
It is essential to treat orbital cellulitis properly so that it does not cause damage that can continue into adulthood. In most cases, this infection requires hospitalization. Treatment includes intravenously administered antibiotics, although surgery may also be needed to drain the abscess or relieve pressure around the eye.