title: Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of fungal disease associated with posthurricane environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is thought to represent an immunologic response to exposure to dematiaceous fungi. These fungi are known to cause disease more frequently in hot and humid climates and seasons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients presented with unusual manifestations of fungal disease after exposure to environments recently affected by hurricanes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients had AFS, 1 with gradual painless visual loss from an AFS mass extending into the suprasellar region and 1 with orbital apex syndrome. Another patient had invasive fungal disease and developed orbital apex syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases underscore the importance of clinical recognition of fungal disease in patients with sinus, orbital, or skull base involvement as well as its potential for causing permanent visual loss. This report suggests a potential association between fungal disease and tropical storm exposure.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Jayanth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sridhar
authors.forename: Byron L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pasol
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sternau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged