👁️ Special Senses🟢 BasicOrbit

Orbital Cellulitis

A serious infection of the tissues within the eye socket, often spreading from the sinuses, that threatens sight and life.

Key points

Orbital cellulitis is infection of the soft tissues behind the orbital septum, within the eye socket.
It most often spreads from infection in the neighbouring paranasal sinuses, especially the ethmoid sinus.
It causes a red, swollen, painful eye that bulges forward (proptosis), with limited and painful eye movements and reduced vision.
It is distinguished from the milder preseptal cellulitis, which lies in front of the septum and does not limit eye movement.
It is dangerous because infection can spread back to the brain and its coverings, so it is regarded as a sight-threatening and serious infection.

Memory trick

Orbital cellulitis is infection inside the socket (usually from the ethmoid sinus): a red, swollen, bulging eye (proptosis) with painful limited movement and reduced vision; unlike preseptal (no movement limit); can spread to the brain.

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👁️ Special Senses🟢 BasicOrbit

Orbital Cellulitis

A serious infection of the tissues within the eye socket, often spreading from the sinuses, that threatens sight and life.

Key points

Orbital cellulitis is infection of the soft tissues behind the orbital septum, within the eye socket.
It most often spreads from infection in the neighbouring paranasal sinuses, especially the ethmoid sinus.
It causes a red, swollen, painful eye that bulges forward (proptosis), with limited and painful eye movements and reduced vision.
It is distinguished from the milder preseptal cellulitis, which lies in front of the septum and does not limit eye movement.
It is dangerous because infection can spread back to the brain and its coverings, so it is regarded as a sight-threatening and serious infection.

Memory trick

All of Ophthalmology More Special Senses