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Orbital cellulitis

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Symptoms:

• Fever , generally 102 degrees F or higher
• Painful swelling of upper and lower eyelids
• Shiny, red or purple eyelid
• Eye pain , especially with movement
• Decreased vision
• Bulging eyes
• General malaise
• Painful or difficult eye movements

Signs and tests:

Tests commonly include:

• CBC (complete blood count)
• Blood culture
• Spinal tap in extremely sick children

Other tests may include:

• X-ray of the sinuses and surrounding area
• CT scan or MRI of the sinuses and orbit
• Culture of eye and nose drainage
• Throat culture

References:

Nageswaran S, Woods CR, Benjamin DK Jr, Givner LB, Shetty AK. Orbital cellulitis in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J . 2006 Aug;25(8):695-9.

Ambati BK, Ambati J, Azar N, Stratton L, Schmidt EV. Periorbital and orbital cellulitis before and after the advent of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination. Ophthalmology . 2000 Aug;107(8):1450-3.

• Review Date: 2/22/2007
• Reviewed By: Manju Subramanian, MD, Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery, Boston University Eye Associates, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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