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Phlegmon of the eyelid: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Phlegmon of the eyelid is a diffuse inflammation of the tissues of the eyelid. In this case, phlegmon of the eyelid, the inflammation affects only the tissues of the eyelid located in front of the orbital septum, and does not spread to the structures of the orbit.
[ Causes of phlegmon of the eyelid
Phlegmon most often develops in children under 3 years of age who have had inflammation of the upper respiratory tract or otitis media; the causative agent of phlegmon of the eyelid is usually Haemophilus influenzae. In adults, phlegmon of the eyelid develops as a complication of barley, with an abscess of the eyelid, the spread of infection from the tissues of the face, from the orbit, paranasal sinuses, as well as after wounds, operations, insect and animal bites; it is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or mixed flora.
Symptoms of phlegmon of the century
Objectively, redness of the skin and dense swelling of the entire eyelid are determined, pain is noted upon palpation. Vision and pupillary reactions are not impaired. Usually, the disease of the eyelid phlegmon occurs with high temperature, headache, and pain in the regional lymph nodes is noted. The appearance of exophthalmos, displacement and limitation of mobility of the eyeball, double vision, chemosis, visual impairment, and the patient's severe condition indicate the spread of inflammation to the tissues of the orbit (orbital cellulitis). If the process is localized in the area of the medial angle of the eye slit, thrombosis of the cavernous sinus, meningoencephalitis, and sepsis with a fatal outcome may develop.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with allergic eyelid edema, severe blepharoconjunctivitis, dacryoadenitis, trauma, blepharochalasis, and thyroid ophthalmopathy.
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Treatment of phlegmon of the eyelid
Phlegmon of the eyelid is treated conservatively. Antibiotics are administered orally and intramuscularly (claforan). If fluctuation occurs, the abscess of the eyelid is opened.
In the absence of complications, the prognosis is good. Due to severe scarring, eyelid surgery may be required in the long term.