eye disorders
Orbital Cellulitis
Introduction
Orbital cellulitis is infection affecting the tissue within the orbit and around and behind the eye. Infection can spread to the orbit from sources such as the sinuses around the nose. Symptoms include pain, swelling, red eye, fever, a bulging eye, impaired vision, and impaired eye movements. Usually, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits is done. Antibiotics are given by vein and the person is admitted to the hospital. (See also Introduction to Eye Socket Disorders .) Both orbital cellulitis and Preseptal Cellulitis are more common among children. Preseptal cellulitis is far more common than orbital cellulitis. However, orbital cellulitis is more dangerous. Orbital cellulitis usually is caused by spread of an infection to the orbit from the sinuses around the nose (nasal sinuses) but can also be spread from infection of the teeth or bloodstream. An animal or insect bite or another wound to the eyelids can also spread infection and lead to orbital cellulitis. A foreign body in the orbit, particularly if organic (for example, wood), can also cause orbital cellulitis. Without adequate treatment, orbital cellulitis can lead to blindness as well as to severe illness. Infection can spread to the brain ( ) and spinal cord. Blood clots can form and spread from the veins around the eye to involve a large vein at the base of the brain (the cavernous sinus) and result in a serious disorder called 