---
title: "Orbital cellulitis | Eye Health Guide"
description: "What orbital cellulitis is, how it differs from milder eyelid infections, warning symptoms, and why hospital treatment is needed. Clinically reviewed."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/conditions/orbital-cellulitis/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Condition

# Orbital cellulitis

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection deep in the tissues around the eye. It causes painful swelling, often with fever, reduced eye movement and sometimes double vision. It is a medical emergency needing hospital antibiotics, unlike milder surface eyelid infections.

### On this page ⌄

1. Your next step
2. What it is
3. Warning symptoms
4. Causes
5. Treatment
6. Related conditions
7. Frequently asked questions

## What it is

Orbital cellulitis is infection within the orbit, the bony space containing the eye and its muscles. It is much more serious than preseptal cellulitis, which affects only the eyelid in front of the eye's tough lining.

## Warning symptoms

Seek emergency care if these develop.

- Painful, swollen eyelid with fever and feeling unwell
- Reduced or painful eye movement
- Protruding eye or double vision
- Child with a swollen eyelid after sinus infection or injury

## Causes

It often spreads from a sinus infection, especially in children, or from trauma, surgery or a skin infection. Prompt treatment of sinus problems and eyelid infections reduces risk.

## Treatment

Hospital admission and intravenous antibiotics are usually needed, with imaging to check for abscess. Delay can affect vision and spread infection. Mild eyelid redness without fever or eye movement problems may be a less serious infection, but assessment is important.

## Related conditions

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between orbital and preseptal cellulitis?

Preseptal cellulitis is a superficial eyelid infection, often without fever or eye movement problems. Orbital cellulitis is deeper, more serious, and can affect vision, needing emergency hospital care.

### Is a swollen eyelid with fever an emergency?

Yes, especially if the eye is painful to move, vision changes, or the eye looks pushed forward. These features suggest orbital cellulitis and need urgent hospital assessment.

### How is orbital cellulitis treated?

Treatment is usually hospital admission with intravenous antibiotics and scans to check for an abscess. Surgery is sometimes needed.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Sources for this information

These references support the information on this page. Follow the linked source for its full context.

- [Cellulitis, preseptal and orbital - College of Optometrists](https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/clinical-management-guidelines/cellulitis_preseptalandorbital)