Orbital Infection Threatening Blindness Due to Carious Primary Molars: An Interesting Case Report

Distant spread of infection due to dental abscess in head and neck region is often reported in the literature. Orbital cellulitis or abscess although rare as a complication from decayed primary teeth in children is not an exception. The periapical infection from the maxillary primary molar spreads easily to the maxillary sinus first and followed by entry into the orbit through the orbital floor or through the ethmoidal sinuses. This if untreated may lead to orbital abscess, proptosis, progressive loss of vision, intracranial extension and even death.

A 10 year old boy presenting with severe pain, proptosis of right eyeball, ophthalmoplegia and blindness.

Managed successfully with timely medical and surgical intervention with complete restoration of vision. This case presented emphasizes the primary teeth care necessary in children which if unchecked can cause fatal complications.