Description
A bacterial infection of the fat and small muscles surrounding the eye. In children Haemophilus influenza is a common bacteria, other pathogens include: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and beta-hemolytic streptococci. Other causes include a stye, bug bites, or a recent eyelid injury. The infection can be very serious and lead to blindness.
Symptoms
Fever, painful swelling of upper and lower eyelids, shiny red or purple eyelid, eye pain, eye pain with movement, double vision, decreased vision, bulging eyes.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A CT scan or MRI will be used to see the severity and size of the infection. Blood tests are appropriate to check for spread of infection (blood cultures).
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Blood cultures
Specialists:
Ophthalmology, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A CT scan or MRI will be used to see the severity and size of the infection. Blood tests are appropriate to check for spread of infection (blood cultures).
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Other Specific Tests: Blood cultures
Specialists:
Ophthalmology, Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
Aggressive treatment is required since an orbital cellulitis infection can quickly worsen and can cause blindness. People with this condition are admitted to the hospital and intravenous antibiotics are used. Surgery may be needed to drain an abscess (pocket of bacteria), if an abscess is part of the infection.