General Medical Information

Orbital Cellulitis

Frank E. Lucente
Samir Shah
Roger Kula

Extension of paranasal sinusitis into the orbit can cause orbital cellulitis, which causes chemosis, exophthalmos, diplopia, and immobility of the globe. Orbital cellulitis can advance to orbital abscess with ophthalmoplegia, proptosis, and visual loss. Optic neuritis characterized by acute loss of vision, decreased pupillary response, and pain with eye movement can be caused by extension of posterior ethmoidal or sphenoidal sinusitis. Fungal involvement with mucormycosis is a life-threatening infection associated with diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression.