A case of cortical blindness is presented which developed during H. influenzae type B meningitis. Cortical blindness may appear late in the course of bacterial meningitis, during a period of clinical improvement, and recovery can be expected in 50 per cent of cases. In contrast, when the cause is ischaemic the onset of blindness is immediate and usually recovery is complete. Radiological evidence is presented for the pathological process in meningitis.