Periorbital Cellulitis Facts and Treatment

Periorbital cellulitis is an inflammation and infection of the eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye. Orbital cellulitis affects the eye socket (orbit) as well as the skin closest to it. It is more common in children than it is in adults. Symptoms of periorbital cellulitis include fever, redness, and swelling of the eyelid. Periorbital cellulitis happens when infection-causing bacteria (like staphylococcus or streptococcus) is introduced into the eyelid by a scratch, a bug bite, a sty, or a chalazion. There is generally redness and swelling of the eyelid and the surrounding area, but unlike orbital cellulitis (a more extensive infection involving deeper tissue), periorbital cellulitis does not cause protrusion of the eyeball (proptosis) or limit its movements. Periorbital cellulitis is most common in children under six years of age.

Although rarely associated with complications, any infection near the eye and close to the brain is potentially serious. It is important to consult a physician immediately if you think that you or your child may have periorbital cellulitis.

Causes

Staphylococcus and streptococcus species are commonly implicated. The advent of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine has dramatically decreased the incidence of periorbital and orbital cellulitis

Signs and Symptoms of Periorbital cellulitis

There is generally redness and swelling of the eyelid and the surrounding area, but unlike orbital cellulitis, periorbital cellulitis does not cause protrusion of the eyeball or limit its movements. Signs of the primary infection are also often present (eg, nasal discharge and bleeding with sinusitis, periodontal pain and swelling with abscess)

Treatment

A child who has orbital or periorbital cellulitis should be hospitalized without delay. Antibiotics are used to stop the spread of infection and prevent damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual images to the brain.

Symptoms of optic-nerve damage or infection that has spread to sinus cavities close to the brain include:

* Very limited ability to move the eye

* Impaired response of the pupil to light and other stimulus

* Loss of visual acuity

* Papilledema (swelling of the optic disk-where the optic nerve enters the eye)

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