Patient education: Cellulitis around the eye (The Basics)

What is cellulitis? — Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria. Two types of cellulitis can affect the eye area:

●"Preseptal" cellulitis – This is an infection that affects the eyelid only. It is sometimes called "periorbital" cellulitis.

●"Orbital cellulitis" – This is a rare but dangerous infection that goes deeper into the tissues around the eyeball (figure 1). If it is not treated, it can lead to blindness and, very rarely, death.

In cellulitis, bacteria get into the skin or tissues around the eye. This can happen if a person has a sinus infection. The sinuses are the hollow areas in the bones of the face. Cellulitis can also happen if a person has:

●Eye surgery or an injury near the eye

●A blocked tear duct

●An infection in a tooth, an ear, or somewhere in the face

Both orbital cellulitis and preseptal cellulitis are most common in young children.

What are the symptoms of cellulitis around the eye? — Preseptal cellulitis can cause:

●Eyelid swelling

●Redness or darkening of the skin of the eyelid

●Eye pain

Orbital cellulitis also causes eyelid swelling and redness. But it can cause other symptoms, too. These might include:

●Fever

●Trouble seeing or seeing double

●Problems with the eyeball. It might:

•Hurt a lot, especially when you try to move it

•Not move at all

•Bulge outward

Is there a test for cellulitis? — Your doctor or nurse will do an exam and ask about your symptoms. If they think that you might have orbital cellulitis, they will probably order an imaging test such as a CT scan or MRI. These tests take pictures of the inside of the head, including the eyes and sinuses.

How is cellulitis around the eye treated? — Treatments include:

●Antibiotics – Antibiotics are medicines that treat infections caused by bacteria.

If you have preseptal cellulitis, you will probably get antibiotic pills. You will take these for about a week, or sometimes longer.

If you have orbital cellulitis, you will need to get antibiotics through a thin tube that goes into a vein, called an "IV." Most people start to get better in about 3 to 5 days after starting IV antibiotics. Once you start getting better, you can switch to antibiotic pills. You will need to take these for at least 2 to 3 weeks, and maybe longer.

●Surgery – Some people with orbital cellulitis will need surgery. This is done only if:

•An imaging test shows signs of an "abscess." An abscess is a pocket of pus inside the head near the eye. The surgery removes the abscess.

or

•You do not show any signs of getting better after taking antibiotics.

Can cellulitis around the eye be prevented? — You can reduce your chances of getting cellulitis by seeing your doctor or nurse if you have a serious sinus infection. If your sinus infection is caused by bacteria, it's important to get treatment so it does not lead to cellulitis or other problems.

More on this topic

Patient education: Sinusitis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) (The Basics)
Patient education: Blocked tear ducts in babies (The Basics)