ABSTRACT
Background: Orbital infections [OI] are a serious disorder that may results in visual and systemic morbidity
Aim: To study epidemiologic data and outcome of OI in a tertiary eye care center
Methods: Retrospective study of 28 patients [28 eyes] with OI. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmic examination, otolaryngology examination, and cranio-orbital computed tomography scan. All patients received parenteral probabilistic antibiotic treatment then adapted depending on the sensitivity of antibiogram and clinical evolution, associated or not to corticosteroid treatment. The mean follow-up was 14 months
Results: The mean age of our patients was 35.9 years. Fifteen patients [54%] were male. Of 28 cases, retroseptal cellulitis was the most common, noted in 67.8% of cases. subperiosteal or orbital abscess was recorded in 28.6% of the cases. Sinusitis was the most common etiology, found in 39.3% of cases. Treatment was based on empirical broad spectrum systemic antibiotics in all cases. Surgical management was performed in 39.3% of cases. Bacteriological samples were obtained for 28.5% of patients, with Staphylococcus aureus the most frequently isolated pathogen [5 cases; 62.5%]. The evolution was favorable with complete resolution without sequelae in 92.8% of the cases and improvement of visual acuity in 82% of cases. Causes of poor visual outcome were corneal perforation, cataract and retinal detachment
Conclusions: In our series, OI affects children and young adults. Their prognosis is generally favorable provided rapid and appropriate management