Which diagnosis is characterized by eyelid swelling and warmth without signs of orbital involvement?

Which diagnosis is characterized by eyelid swelling and warmth without signs of orbital involvement?

• A. Orbital cellulitis
• B. Conjunctivitis
• C. Preseptal cellulitis
• D. Blepharitis

Answer: (C)

Eyelid swelling and warmth without signs of orbital involvement point to infection confined to the eyelid and periorbital tissues, that is, preseptal cellulitis. This condition lies anterior to the orbital septum, so you see localized eyelid edema and warmth but no deep orbital signs. If the infection were in the orbit itself, you’d expect more serious signs like eye movement pain, restricted extraocular movements, proptosis, decreased vision, or abnormal pupillary responses, indicating orbital cellulitis. Conjunctivitis would primarily involve the conjunctiva with redness and discharge, not the periorbital soft tissues. Blepharitis affects the eyelid margin with crusting and irritation rather than true swelling and warmth of the entire periorbital region. So the description fits preseptal cellulitis.

Eyelid swelling and warmth without signs of orbital involvement point to infection confined to the eyelid and periorbital tissues, that is, preseptal cellulitis. This condition lies anterior to the orbital septum, so you see localized eyelid edema and warmth but no deep orbital signs. If the infection were in the orbit itself, you’d expect more serious signs like eye movement pain, restricted extraocular movements, proptosis, decreased vision, or abnormal pupillary responses, indicating orbital cellulitis. Conjunctivitis would primarily involve the conjunctiva with redness and discharge, not the periorbital soft tissues. Blepharitis affects the eyelid margin with crusting and irritation rather than true swelling and warmth of the entire periorbital region. So the description fits preseptal cellulitis.