Visual loss with West Nile virus infection: a wider spectrum of a "new" disease.

We describe a case of severe visual loss as a result of West Nile virus (WNV) infection. Associated headache and fever led to the proper diagnosis and management, but the findings of optic neuritis, retinitis, and uveitis were a surprising and prominent component of the patient's meningitis syndrome. Physicians diagnosing and treating patients with WNV infection should be alerted to the possibility of ocular and optic nerve involvement, which may leave permanent neuropathic residua.