Prognostic factors in idiopathic preretinal macular fibrosis

We retrospectively studied 124 eyes with idiopathic preretinal macular fibrosis to assess the value of fluorescein angiography and vitreous examination for predicting the visual prognosis. During a mean follow-up period of 43 months (range, 12-14 months), the visual acuity of 33 eyes (27%) declined two or more lines from the initial value, although the appearance of the fibrosis remained unchanged in 114 cases (92%). At initial examination, 38 eyes (31%) showed fluorescein leakage into the macula; these eyes were more prone to further visual deterioration than were those without leakage (P less than 0.05). Of 14 eyes with partial vitreous detachment and vitreous traction to the fibrosis, 6 (43%) had a final visual acuity of 20/200 or worse; this proportion was significantly higher than that found either in eyes with no detachment or in those with complete vitreous detachment (P less than 0.05). The presence of fluorescein leakage and/or vitreous traction to the fibrosis may predict worse functional prognosis in eyes with idiopathic preretinal macular fibrosis.