Our 101 st patient presented with a case of preseptal cellulitis. Preseptal cellulitis is an infection of the tissues in FRONT of the orbital septum. Think of it as an infection to the eyelids and tissues around the eyeball. Patients usually present with acute swollen eyelids. It is treated with an oral antibiotic such as Augmentin.
Preseptal cellulitis must be differentiated from a less common but more serious condition called orbital cellulitis, which is an infection of the tissues BEHIND the orbital septum. Orbital cellulitis presents with swollen eyelids, as well as fever, decreased vision and painful eye movement. Treatment must be immediate and patient must be admitted to the hospital for intravenous (IV) antibiotics.