Post-septal cellulitis: what to know

Unlike infection limited to the eyelid surface, post-septal cellulitis affects tissues within the orbit. A person may develop a painful swollen eyelid, redness, fever, reduced eye movement, double vision, blurred vision or an eye that appears pushed forward. Sinus infection is a frequent source, but nearby skin infection, injury or spread from another site can also be relevant. A clinician may need an eye examination, blood tests and imaging to judge its extent.

Go to an emergency department immediately if post-septal cellulitis is suspected. Treatment commonly involves hospital-delivered antibiotics and observation, with an eye specialist involved; drainage or treatment of a sinus source may be considered when needed. Do not press on the eyelid, delay care while trying home remedies, or use leftover antibiotics. Tell the team about diabetes, immune problems, recent sinus symptoms, skin wounds or Athlete's Foot, because these details can affect assessment.

Urgent care is needed for fever with eye swelling, severe skin pain, difficulty moving the eye, vision change, double vision, vomiting, confusion or rapidly worsening redness. After treatment, return urgently if fever persists, swelling increases, vision changes or new drowsiness develops. Severe infection can progress to Sepsis, so worsening whole-body symptoms are an emergency.

Ask which tissues are involved, whether imaging is needed, how vision will be monitored, where the infection began, and which follow-up signs require immediate return.