**2. Definition**

Preseptal cellulitis is an inflammation and infection of the eyelid (also of the periorbital soft tissues), anterior to orbital septum, not involving the orbit or other ocular structures, charac‐ terized by acute eyelid erythema and edema[1].

This is a common infection and tends to be less severe a disease than orbital cellulitis (known as postseptal cellulitis). It may result from the spread of the upper respiratory tract infections, external eye infections, or eyelid traumas[2].

In preseptal cellulitis, the soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum are affected and the orbi‐ tal structures posterior to the septum are not infected but may be infected secondarily caus‐ ing subperiosteal and orbital abscesses. In severe cases,this may also cause cavernous sinus thrombosis or meningitis. Patients with periorbital edema, erythema and increase in local hyperemia but without proptosis, ophthalmoplegia and visual impairment have been de‐ fined as having preseptal cellulitis. Patients with proptosis, ophthalmoplegia andvisual im‐ pairment have been defined as having orbital cellulitis. Preseptal cellulitis is usually

managed medically, whereas orbital cellulitis requires an aggressive treatment and may re‐ quire surgical intervention [3, 4, 5]. Orbital cellulitis is a serious infection, especially in chil‐ dren, and may result in significant complications including blindness, cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, subdural empyema, and brain abscess.

The correct treatment of the preseptal cellulitis during the antibiotic era makes these compli‐ cations rare but the correct diagnosis and early treatment are important to prevent the life threatening complications [4,5].
