Idiopathic preretinal fibrosis: a review of 237 cases.

We reviewed the charts of 223 patients (236 eyes) with idiopathic preretinal fibrosis, dividing them into two groups: those who only had been observed, and those who, after an observation period, had the membranes surgically removed. All of the patients had been followed from 6 to 120 months (mean, 29 months). Vision in the nonsurgical group slowly deteriorated and was accompanied by metamorphopsia. More rapid visual deterioration occurred in 60 eyes (25%), of which 37 (16%) required surgery. Vision in 78% of the surgical group improved, with the greatest subjective benefit considered to be subsidence of metamorphosia. Vision spontaneously improved in 2.5% of the cases.