Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection of the eye and orbit that can lead to meningitis and other complications. It is caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics and sometimes surgery. Symptoms include swelling, redness, limited eye movement, and fever. Hand washing and avoiding touching the eyes can help prevent the condition.
Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the eye and the orbit, the underlying structure in the eye socket that supports the eye. A closely related condition, periorbital cellulitis, involves the tissue around the eye, including the eyelid. Both conditions are considered urgent emergencies that require prompt medical attention to avoid potential complications. Left untreated, orbital cellulitis can contribute to the development of several conditions, including meningitis, which can be fatal.
This condition is caused by an infection in or around the eye with a bacterium such as Staph. Recent trauma or surgery may be risk factors, as can a history of sinusitis, an infection of the sinuses. Orbital cellulitis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms and medical tests such as bacterial cultures of the fluid leaking from the eye or medical imaging to visualize the eye in the orbit. Typically an ophthalmologist will be consulted before a definitive diagnosis is made, to ensure similar conditions are ruled out.
Orbital and periorbital cellulitis are treated with antibiotics, which can be infused for a quick effect. In some cases, surgery may also be needed to relieve pressure on the eye and to drain the abscess sometimes associated with orbital cellulitis. When a doctor intervenes promptly, the condition is irritating, but treatable. Delay can cause loss of vision or spread of infection to the brain, resulting in brain abscess or meningitis, two complications generally considered highly undesirable.
Several symptoms can indicate the presence of orbital cellulitis. Swelling and redness around the eye is common, with some cases of periorbital cellulitis becoming so swollen that the patient cannot open the eye. Limited eye movement is common, as is a bulging eye, due to the pressure of the infection. Patients generally also suffer from fever, a common side effect of infection caused by the body’s attempt to fight the source of the infection.
Children are more likely to get orbital cellulitis, but the condition can also occur in adults. To avoid orbital cellulitis, people should be meticulous in washing their hands and face and keep their hands away from their eyes as much as possible. After surgery around the eyes and face, prophylactic antibiotics can prevent the infection from recurring, and in the case of people suffering from sinusitis, it is highly recommended to stop the prescribed antibiotics to reduce the risk of recurring infections.
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