Final answer:
Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the eye's orbital tissues that can affect eye movements and vision, while preorbital cellulitis is limited to the soft tissues around the eyelids without affecting the orbit. The main difference is the location and depth of the infection in the eye area.
Step-by-step explanation:
Orbital cellulitis and preorbital cellulitis (also known as periorbital cellulitis) are both infections that affect the eye area, but they have different clinical presentations and potential complications. The key factor that differentiates orbital cellulitis from preorbital cellulitis is the depth and location of the infection. Orbital cellulitis is an infection that involves the eye's orbital tissues behind the orbital septum, including fat and muscle, potentially affecting eye movements and vision, and it can lead to serious complications like vision loss or abscess formation. It is typically characterized by a combination of pain, bulging of the eye (proptosis), decreased or painful eye movements, vision problems, and possibly systemic symptoms such as fever.
On the other hand, preorbital cellulitis is an infection limited to the soft tissues in front of the orbital septum, primarily affecting the eyelids without involving the orbit itself. Symptoms might include swelling, redness, and tenderness of the eyelids, but eye movements and vision are usually unimpaired. It is less severe than orbital cellulitis and can often be treated with antibiotics without the need for hospitalization if there are no signs of progression.
To summarize, the main features include:
- Presence of pain and redness around the eyes - Can occur in both conditions.
- Swelling of the eyelids and forehead - More commonly associated with preorbital cellulitis.
- Inflammation of the orbital tissues and decreased eye movements - Specific to orbital cellulitis.
- Infection limited to the soft tissues in the eyelids and anterior to the orbital septum - Describes preorbital cellulitis.