Orbital cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis
Classification and external resources
Specialty	ophthalmology
ICD-10	H05.0
ICD-9-CM	376.01
DiseasesDB	9249
MedlinePlus	001012
eMedicine	article/1217858
MeSH	D054517
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Orbital cellulitis is inflammation of eye tissues behind the orbital septum. It most commonly refers to an acute spread of infection into the eye socket from either the adjacent sinuses or through the blood. It may also occur after trauma. When it affects the rear of the eye, it is known as retro-orbital cellulitis.

It should not be confused with periorbital cellulitis, which refers to cellulitis anterior to the septum.

Common signs and symptoms of orbital cellulitis include pain with eye movement, sudden vision loss, chemosis, bulging of the infected eye, and limited eye movement. Along with these symptoms, patients typically have redness and swelling of the eyelid, pain, discharge, inability to open the eye, occasional fever and lethargy. It is usually caused by a previous sinusitis. Other causes include infection of nearby structures, trauma and previous surgery.

Orbital cellulitis occurs commonly from bacterial infection spread via the paranasal sinuses. Other ways in which orbital cellulitis may occur is from infection in the blood stream or from an eyelid skin infection. Upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, trauma to the eye, ocular or periocular infection and systemic infection all increase one's risk of orbital cellulitis.

Staphylococcus aureus, and are three bacteria that can be responsible for orbital cellulitis.

Immediate treatment is very important for someone with orbital cellulitis. Treatment typically involves intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital and frequent observation (every 4–6 hours). Along with this several laboratory tests are run including a complete blood count, differential, and blood culture.

Although orbital cellulitis is considered an ophthalmic emergency the prognosis is good if prompt medical treatment is received.

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