Orbital and Periorbital Cellulitis

Periorbital Cellulitis

Infection around eyeball, involving tissues in front of the orbital septum.

It's important to rule out orbital cellulitis with a detailed history and CT.

Children have a less developed orbital septum, so the infection can spread behind the septum more easily, causing orbital cellulitis. Treatment is important to prevent this complication.

Orbital Cellulitis

Infection around eyeball, involving tissues behind the orbital septum.

It's differentiated from Periorbital cellulitis by the presence of:

• Pain on movement

• Reduced eye movements

• Visual changes

• Abnormal pupil reactions

• Proptosis (forward movement of the eyeball)

This is a medical emergency, therefore requires hospital admission and IV Abx. May need surgical drainage if an abscess forms.