Symptoms of Orbital Cellulitis
Symptoms of orbital
cellulitis occur at the location of the infected skin (local symptoms) or on other parts of the body (systemic symptoms).
Common local and systemic symptoms of orbital cellulitis include:
- Proptosis (a "bulging" eye)
- Eye pain
- Reduced eye movement
- Chemosis (swelling of the membranes that line the eyelids and surface of the eye)
- Decreased vision
- Double vision.
Diagnosing Orbital Cellulitis
Your healthcare provider typically makes an orbital
cellulitis diagnosis by asking questions about your medical history, performing a physical exam, and ordering certain tests. The physical exam will likely include an eye exam.
During the examination, your healthcare provider may also order a CT (computed tomography) scan to see how far the cellulitis has spread and whether sinusitis or an abscess is present.
Treatment for Orbital Cellulitis
The goal of orbital
cellulitis treatment is to quickly treat the affected area and to reduce the chances of a complication. Specific treatment options for orbital cellulitis include antibiotics and surgery.
Antibiotics for Orbital Cellulitis
Treatment for orbital cellulitis typically begins with antibiotics that are given through an IV in the hospital. Depending on the severity of the orbital cellulitis, the IV antibiotics may be switched to oral antibiotics after three to five days. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin -- one of the more common antibiotics prescribed for treatment.
Surgery for Orbital Cellulitis
Surgery may be needed to prevent complications of orbital cellulitis from occurring, such as permanent vision problems and blindness. Surgery may be necessary for people with orbital cellulitis that:
- Does not respond to antibiotic treatment
- Gets worse despite treatment
- Causes decreased vision
- Leads to certain types of abscesses (pus-filled cavities).
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