Warning-sign checks
Orbital cellulitis: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911Seek immediate emergency assessment for possible orbital cellulitis.
Call emergency services for sudden loss of vision, collapse, a seizure, marked confusion, or difficulty waking the affected person.
Mild swelling that is steadily improving can usually be discussed at the arranged follow-up rather than treated as a new emergency.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
- Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
- Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
- Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
- Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
- Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
- Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
- Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen todayDo not wait for a routine appointment if eye or eyelid swelling occurs with any of the following:
- Pain or difficulty when moving the eye
- Double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision
- An eye that is bulging forward
- Colours looking faded in one eye
- Fever with worsening redness or swelling around the eye
- Severe headache, vomiting, unusual sleepiness, or confusion
Seek urgent reassessment if fever returns, swelling or pain worsens, eye movement becomes difficult, or vision changes.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointmentAfter hospital treatment, attend planned follow-up appointments.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Orbital cellulitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.