Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of tissue that can affect both the eyes and skin. One of the characteristics of cellulitis is that it spreads rapidly, which makes it a very serious infection requiring immediate medical care.

Cellulitis is frequently caused by a staph or strep infection. It is not unusual for the infection to start in the sinuses and then spread to the orbit or eyelid. Skin wounds or recent surgery can also lead to infection.

Cellulitis affecting the eyes occurs in two forms: orbital and pre-septum.

Orbital cellulitis: It affects the structures within the space containing the eyeball and can affect eye movement (due to swelling of the lids or the eye). This form is more serious and usually calls for more aggressive treatment.

Pre-septum cellulitis: Its restricted to eyelid tissue and is generally less serious. The vast majority of pre-septal cellulitis cases occur in children, especially young children.

Cellulitis symptoms may include:

•   Bulging eye
•   Swelling of the eyelid or tissues around the eye
•   Red eyelids
•   Reduced eye movement
•   Blurred vision
•   Fever
•   Low energy
•   Decreased vision

For more information about cellulitis you can read the original article on geteyesmart.

If you have a serious cellulitis infection and/or have not responded to antibiotics after a few days, you may need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous antibiotics.

You can also drop in at 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore in Florida in and meet with an on-site Independent Optometrist with no appointment needed. All we ask is that you come in 15 minutes prior to your desired appointment time to fill out the required paperwork. 

If you have any interesting eye health tips to share? Please feel free to share them in the comment section below. We’d love to hear from you.