Orbital Cellulitis

What is orbital cellulitis?

Orbital cellulitis is an infection inside your eye socket (the bony area that surrounds your eye). This infection can be life threatening and needs immediate treatment.

What causes orbital cellulitis?

The infection is caused by germs, such as bacteria or a fungus. The following increase the risk that germs may spread into your eye socket and cause orbital cellulitis:

• A sinus infection or a respiratory infection, such as a cold.
  
  
• An eye injury. This includes cuts, scratches, and puncture wounds that break the skin near the eye. An object in your eye may also lead to an infection and orbital cellulitis.
  
  
• An infection after eye surgery.
  
  
• A deep tooth infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of orbital cellulitis?

Your eye and eyelid are red, swollen, and painful with orbital cellulitis. You may have a fever. You may also have the following:

• Painful eye movements. It may be hard to move your eye at all.
  
  
• Changes in your ability to see. You may have double vision.
  
  
• Eye pressure. Your eyeball may also bulge from your eye socket.

How is orbital cellulitis diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask what symptoms you have. He will gently push back the eyelid to check for infection around the eye. He will look inside your nose and feel the skin on your face for swelling. You will also have a vision test. Other tests may include:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood may be taken from your arm, hand, or IV. Blood tests can show if you have an infection.
  
  
• Fluid cultures: Your caregiver collects fluid from your eye to learn which germs have caused the infection.
  
  
• Computed tomography scan: A computed tomography (CT) scan is an x-ray machine that uses a computer to take pictures of the bones, muscles, or blood vessels around your eyes. You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV. The dye helps your caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (crab, lobster, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) takes three-dimensional (3-D) pictures of the muscles, bones, and blood vessels in your eye socket. You will need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter the MRI room with any metal objects. This can cause serious injury.

How is orbital cellulitis treated?

You will need to stay in the hospital to treat orbital cellulitis. Treatment may decrease your symptoms, stop the infection’s spread, and heal your eye. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other treatments for orbital cellulitis:

• Medicines:
  
  
  • IV antibiotics: An IV is a tube placed in your vein to give you medicines or fluids. Antibiotics are germ-killing medicines that help you fight the infection. You may need IV antibiotics for 7 to 10 days.
    
    
  • Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain.
    
    
  • Steroids: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation, which is redness, pain, and swelling.
  
  
• Surgery: Surgery may be needed to drain your sinuses or to treat an infection that does not improve.

What are the risks of orbital cellulitis?

Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection that can worsen even with prompt treatment. The infection may spread deeper in the eye socket or move to the other eye. This can lead to blindness. If the infection spreads to the brain, life-threatening blood clots or an infection can develop.

How do I prevent orbital cellulitis?

• Wear proper safety equipment. Protect your face from injury during sports and other activities.
  
  
• Keep wounds clean and dry. Clean wounds on the face with soap and water. Cover wounds with a dry bandage.
  
  
• See your caregiver right away if you notice swelling and redness in or around your eye.

When should I contact my caregiver?

Contact your caregiver if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have a headache and stuffy nose. You may also feel pain and tenderness around the eyes, nose, and forehead.
  
  
• You have questions about your treatment, medicine, or care.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You feel confused or more sleepy than usual. Your forehead may feel numb. You may have a stiff neck and vomiting.
  
  
• You are seeing double or your vision is blurred.
  
  
• You notice vision loss.
  
  
• You cannot move your eye.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan care for you or your child. To help with this plan, you must learn about this health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you or your child. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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