Periorbital swelling

Background

Right eye lacrimal system consisting of: of lacrimal gland (a), punctums (b,e), canalicules (c,f), lacrimal sac (g,d).

Differential Diagnosis

Periorbital swelling

Proptosis

• Normal IOP
  • Orbital cellulitis
  • Orbital pseudotumor
  • Orbital tumor
• Increased IOP
  • Retrobulbar abscess
  • Retrobulbar emphysema
  • Retrobulbar hemorrhage
  • Ocular compartment syndrome
  • Orbital tumor

No proptosis

• Periorbital cellulitis/erysipelas
• Dacryocystitis (lacrimal duct)
• Dacryocele/Dacryocystocele
• Dacryostenosis
• Dacryoadenitis (lacrimal gland)
• Allergic reaction
• Nephrotic Syndrome (pediatrics)

Lid Complications

• Blepharitis (crusts)
• Chalazion (meibomian gland)
• Stye (hordeolum) (eyelash folicle)

Other

• Subperiosteal abscess
• Orbital abscess
• Cavernous sinus thrombosis
• Conjunctivitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Herpes zoster
• Herpes simplex
• Sarcoidosis
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Evaluation

Periorbital swelling images

• 

  Blepharitis

• 

  Blepharitis of eyelashes.

• 

  Infant Blepharitis (right)

• 

  Orbital cellulitis

• 

  Retrobulbar hemorrhage

• 

  Periorbital cellulitis

• 

  Dacryocystitis

• 

  Bilateral dacryoadenitis

• 

  Chalazion

• 

  External stye

• 

  Internal stye

• 

  Acute allergic conjunctivitis

• 

  Chronic allergic conjunctivitis

• 

  Contact blepharoconjunctivitis

• 

  Proptosis due to retrobulbar abscess and orbital cellulitis

See Also

• Periorbital vs Orbital Cellulitis

Eye Algorithms

• Red eye
  • Bilateral red eyes
  • Unilateral red eye
  • Red eye (by symptoms)
  • Red eye (peds)
    • Neonatal conjunctivitis
• Periorbital swelling
• Acute vision loss (noninflamed)
• Acute onset flashers and floaters
• Painful eyes with normal exam