Periorbital cellulitis is best described as which of the following?

• A. Infection of the eyelid and periocular tissues with possible ocular pain and swelling but no visual changes and no pain with ocular movement.
• B. Inflammation of the retina causing vision loss.
• C. Infection confined to the conjunctiva.
• D. Orbital cellulitis presenting with fever and proptosis.

Answer: (A)

Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid and periocular tissues located anterior to the orbital septum. It typically presents with eyelid swelling and redness and may be tender, but vision remains normal and there is no pain with eye movements. This helps distinguish it from orbital cellulitis, which involves deeper tissues behind the septum and often presents with fever, proptosis, painful eye movements, and potential vision changes. Conjunctivitis affects the conjunctiva with redness and discharge, while retinal inflammation (retinitis) causes vision loss. Therefore, the description that fits best is infection of the eyelid and periocular tissues with swelling, but no visual changes and no pain with ocular movement.