Periorbital Cellulitis Symptoms

Periorbital cellulitis (also called preseptal cellulitis) is an infection of the eyelid and the surrounding skin. Unlike orbital cellulitis, the infection from periorbital cellulitis is typically confined to the top layers of skin and does not penetrate deeply into the eye socket.

Periorbital Cellulitis

• Periorbital cellulitis is caused by skin trauma either directly to, or in the region of skin around, the eyes or eyelids. Insect bites have also been known to provide the catalyst for periorbital cellulitis infection.

Pathology

• Periorbital cellulitis is caused by two types of infectious bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes are bacteria that are often found in traumatic wounds and are the leading causes of periorbital cellulitis infection.

Symptoms

• People with periorbital cellulitis often experience tenderness and swelling of the eyelids. The tissue of the eyelid may also feel warm and have redness or other discoloration.

Symptoms Continued

• If left untreated, the swelling from periorbital cellulitis often progresses to the point where the patient is unable to open the infected eye. However, as the infection is limited to the skin, and not to the eye itself, vision will remain unaffected.

Diagnosis

• A physician will diagnose periorbital cellulitis by using visual evaluation of the condition of the eye and blood tests. In some instances, an MRI or CT scan may be performed to rule out other conditions such as tumors of the eyelid or eye.

Treatment

• Periorbital cellulitis is treated with one or more common antibiotics. Oral antibiotic medications such as Bactrim, Penicillin AG, and Clindamycin are frequently prescribed and are highly effective against the bacteria which cause the infection.