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Eyelid abscess
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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[ What causes an eyelid abscess?
An abscess of the eyelid often develops after minor skin injuries, insect bites, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, or after squeezing out a stye.
Symptoms of an eyelid abscess
Clinically, an eyelid abscess is characterized by diffuse hyperemia of the skin and dense edema, ptosis of the eyelid, chemosis, swelling and soreness of the regional lymph nodes. Later, the skin of the eyelid becomes thinner, fluctuation appears. In most cases, body temperature does not rise, and clinical analysis does not reveal changes in the blood. Spontaneous opening of the abscess is possible. In weakened people, the development of sepsis, purulent metastasis can lead to death. If the abscess is localized in the medial part of the eyelid, orbital cellulitis or cavernous sinus thrombosis may develop.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treatment of eyelid abscess
Treatment of an eyelid abscess is the same as for eyelid phlegmon. Locally - dry heat, physiotherapy, disinfectant drops in the conjunctival sac. If necessary, treatment is carried out jointly with an ENT specialist. Antibiotics are taken orally and administered intravenously. The abscess is opened when fluctuation appears or tomographically confirmed data on the presence of an abscess is obtained.
General principles of treatment of eyelid abscess
- Locally - dry heat, blue light.
- UHF therapy.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics orally and intravenously, sulfonamides orally.
- Desensitizing drugs.
- Sodium sulfacyl 20% 4-6 times a day into the conjunctival sac.
- Antibiotic eye ointment at night (chloramphenicol) under the lower eyelid.
- If there is fluctuation or if tomographic data is obtained indicating the presence of an abscess, the abscess is opened.
- If necessary, treatment is carried out in conjunction with ENT specialists.
- Hospitalization in the eye department is possible.
An eyelid abscess usually has a good prognosis.