Periorbital Cellulitis Information
Periorbital cellulitis, also known as preseptal cellulitis (and not to be confused with orbital cellulitis, which is behind the septum), is an inflammation and infection of the eyelid and portions of skin around the eye,[1] anterior to the orbital septum. It may be caused by breaks in the skin around the eye, and subsequent spread to the eyelid; infection of the sinuses around the nose (sinusitis); or from spread of an infection elsewhere through the blood.
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Characteristics
Periorbital cellulitis must be differentiated from orbital cellulitis, which is an emergency and requires intravenous (IV) antibiotics. In contrast to orbital cellulitis, patients with periorbital cellulitis do not have bulging of the eye (proptosis), limited eye movement (ophthalmoplegia), pain on eye movement, or loss of vision. If any of these features is present, one must assume that the patient has orbital cellulitis and begin treatment with IV antibiotics. CT scan may be done to delineate the extension of the infection.
It can be caused by sleeping overnight with make-up on the eyes. This can lead to microscopic pieces of make-up in the eyelid for days causing infection.
Signs and symptoms
Affected individuals may experience the following; swelling, redness, discharge, pain, shut eye, conjunctival injection, fever (mild), slightly blurred vision, teary eyes, and some reduction in vision.
Typical signs include periorbital erythema, induration, tenderness and warmth.[2]
Causes
Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are commonly implicated.
The advent of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccine has dramatically decreased the incidence.[3] Spider or other insect bites can also be causal.
Treatment
Antibiotics are aimed at gram positive bacteria. Cephalexin, dicloxacillin and clindamycin are common choices. Warm to hot compresses help with pain and inflammation. Antibiotic eye drops keep eye moist and prevent infection to eye or other areas. A lubricant, such as petroleum jelly applied with clean cotton swab, provides relief to dry skin on eyelid due to wiping and fevered skin, as well as making it easier to wipe off drainage and/or prevent crusting. Definitely seek medical attention if symptoms persist beyond 2–3 days.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/orbital_and_periorbital_cellulitis.jsp
- ^ Givner LB. Periorbital versus orbital cellulitis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2002 Dec;21(12):1157-8
- ^ Donahue S, Schwartz G (1998). "Preseptal and orbital cellulitis in childhood. A changing microbiologic spectrum". Ophthalmology 105 (10): 1902–5; discussion 1905–6. doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(98)91038-7. PMID 9787362.
External links
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Categories: Bacterial diseases | Diseases of the eye and adnexa |
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