Visual loss in cryptococcal meningitis.

Optic neuropathy with visual loss is a well-known complication of chronic elevated intracranial pressure. The association of visual loss with cryptococcal meningitis may reflect the intracranial hypertension often seen in this condition. However, the generally poor results of optic nerve sheath fenestration and analysis of autopsy cases have led to the suggestion that direct invasion of the visual system by organisms may be the more common mechanism of visual loss. We describe a patient with severe visual loss from cryptococcal meningitis in whom organisms were demonstrated in the optic nerve sheath obtained at the time of fenestration. This is the first report to demonstrate this finding in a living patient.