[Juvenile serous macular detachment of the pigmented epithelium]

Juvenile macular detachment of the retinal pigmented epithelium is rarely seen clinically. Single or multiple detachments can occur and are due to the accumulation of liquid in the subretinal space. The natural history of the disease, which usually affects young people, has not yet been defined. We examined and followed 19 eyes of 15 patients affected by macular juvenile serous detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium, not associated with other retinal disturbances. The patients were followed for a mean period of 12 months (range 6-33 months). The mean age was 48 years (range 40-59 years): 7 patients were male and 8 female. Mean initial visual acuity was 8/10 (range 1/10-10/10) and mean final visual acuity was 9.2/10 (range 6/10-10/10). Detachment of the retinal pigmented epithelium was unchanged in 58% of cases, decreased or disappeared in 37% of cases and increased in 5% of cases. These results indicate that the natural course is usually good and photocoagulation is not necessary.