05/06/2026
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β’ Anatomic location
Preseptal: infection anterior to orbital septum (eyelid/periorbital tissues)
Orbital: infection posterior to septum (orbit)
β’ Common source
Preseptal: skin trauma, insect bite, chalazion/hordeolum
Orbital: sinusitis (especially ethmoid) β direct spread
β’ Pain
Preseptal: localized, anterior (eyelid), no pain with EOMs
Orbital: deep orbital pain + pain with EOMs
β’ Eye movements
Preseptal: full, painless
Orbital: restricted, painful EOMs
β’ Vision
Preseptal: normal
Orbital: β VA possible, Β± RAPD
β’ Proptosis
Preseptal: absent
Orbital: present
β’ Systemic signs
Preseptal: mild or none
Orbital: patient looks systemically ill, not just a swollen eyelid
β’ Anterior segment
Preseptal: lid edema/erythema only
Orbital: may have chemosis, conjunctival injection
β’ Imaging
Preseptal: not routinely needed
Orbital: CT orbit/sinuses indicated
β’ Management
Preseptal: oral antibiotics, close follow-up
Orbital: admission to hospital with IV antibiotics + urgent imaging
β’ Key clinical pearl
Any pain with EOMs, β vision, or proptosis β treat as orbital cellulitis until proven otherwise
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