Patient review, and modification and duration of oral therapy for periorbital cellulitis

For patients with periorbital cellulitis who are treated with oral therapy, clinical review within 48 hours is essential to ensure the patient is improving. If symptoms and signs have not improved at 48 hours or have worsened at any point, seek expert advice from an ophthalmologist for reassessment and consider switching to intravenous therapy for periorbital (preseptal) cellulitis.

Modify therapy based on the results of culture and susceptibility testing, if possible.

The usual duration of antibiotic therapy for periorbital cellulitis is 7 days. Extend therapy if the infection has not resolved completely by the end of the treatment course. It is common for patients to have residual signs of inflammation at the end of treatment.