Huseman Eye Care

Valley West Office

(515) 224-9681

Merle Hay Office

(515) 278-1653

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  • The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Periorbital Cellulitis

The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments of Periorbital Cellulitis

  • Created in Newsletters

Little boy rubbing eye

Could Pain Around Your Eye Be Caused by Periorbital Cellulitis?

Periorbital cellulitis could be to blame if you're experiencing pain and swelling around your eye. Prompt treatment will prevent the infection from spreading to your eye.

What Is Periorbital Cellulitis?

Periorbital cellulitis occurs when your eyelid or the skin around your eye becomes infected. Although anyone can develop the infection, it most often affects children 2 or younger, according to WebMD.

Periorbital cellulitis can occur due to a scratch, cut, or insect bite on your eyelid or the skin surrounding the eye. The infection may also be caused by a sinus infection or a stye. A stye is a painful red bump that forms on the eyelid when an oil gland becomes clogged.

Bacteria enter your eye through cuts or openings in the skin or travel to the skin from the sinuses, causing swelling and redness around the eye. The area may be painful, particularly if you press on the swollen skin, and you may notice that the white part of the eye looks red. Although the infection is painful, it doesn't usually cause a fever or affect your vision. Periorbital cellulitis typically only affects one eye.

Periorbital Cellulitis Increases the Risk of Developing Orbital Cellulitis

Without treatment, periorbital cellulitis can become orbital cellulitis, a serious eye infection that can threaten your vision. Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the muscles and fat in the eye socket. Pain and swelling around the eye is also a symptom of orbital cellulitis. The swelling may spread to the cheek or eyebrow in some cases.

Other symptoms include:

  • Pain when you move your eye
  • A bulging eye
  • Headache
  • Purple or red skin on the eyelid
  • Trouble moving the eye
  • Difficulty seeing
  • Double vision
  • Eye and nose discharge

People who have orbital cellulitis usually don't feel well and have fevers. It's important to call your optometrist right away or go to the emergency room if you or a family member have these symptoms. Without treatment, orbital cellulitis may cause hearing or vision loss, optic nerve damage, blood infections, or meningitis, according to Medline Plus.

Treating Periorbital Cellulitis

Your doctor may recommend a computerized tomography (CT) scan to determine if your symptoms are caused by periorbital cellulitis or orbital cellulitis. A blood test may also be needed to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection.

Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause periorbital cellulitis symptoms and can begin to improve your symptoms in just a day or two. People who have mild symptoms and are 1 year or older can often be treated at home with oral antibiotics. Younger children and people who have more severe symptoms may need to be hospitalized.

If periorbital cellulitis turns into orbital cellulitis, you'll need to receive intravenous (IV) antibiotics in the hospital. Surgery may also be needed to drain the infected area and reduce pressure around the eye.

Preventing Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis in Children

The Hib vaccine can reduce your child's risk of developing both periorbital and orbital cellulitis. This vaccine offers protection from the Haemophilus influenzae type B, a type of bacteria that can cause cellulitis, meningitis, and other serious infections. The vaccine is usually given to children at 2 months and again at 12 - 15 months.

Don't ignore swelling or pain in or around the eye. Contacting our office as soon as you notice these symptoms will ease your pain and help you avoid serious complications that could threaten your vision.

Sources:

Medline Plus: Orbital Cellulitis

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) VIS, 8/26/21 Type b

JAMA Network: Periorbital and Orbital Cellulitis, 1/14/20

NCBI: StatPearls: Periorbital Cellulitis, 7/21/21

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Eye Lids
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
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  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
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    • Basic Visual Skills
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Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Merle Hay Office: 515-278-1653

Monday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday:

CLOSED

Valley West Office: 515-224-9681

Monday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday:

CLOSED

Valley West Office : 515.224.9681

Our offices are conveniently located in the Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines and the Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

    I decided to get my eyes checked on a whim while I was at the mall and they were able to fit me in. The tech who worked with me worked quickly yet carefully. Dr. Brown was very kind, professional, and knowledgeable.

    Rachel S.

    Super friendly, helpful and efficient staff and Dr. Brown is always great to work with. I am very happy with the care and services at this office.

    Beth R.

    Had an exam yesterday, everyone was very nice. I also had my rowdy 3-year old and they were so patient as he was very curious to what was going on, they had crayons and paper for him. Dr. Katie was who I saw and she explained everything so well I had no problem understanding what she was telling me. I was impressed with how quickly I was able to see her since this was my first visit and check in went quickly. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone looking for a comfortable atmospher

    Ashley B.

    I was able to schedule a same day appointment which was very convenient. The technician was very helpful and explained all the tests that were performed. Dr. Brown was fast, efficient, and very through with my eye exam. I will continue to trust Huseman for my eye health.

    Marqui B.

    It is always a pleasant experience working with Dr. Soults and Dr. Brown at the Valley West clinic.

    Shane O.

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