Introduction: Congenital epimacular membranes differ from acquired membranes of young adults by their slow evolution and absence of vitreously their cortex detachment.
Clinical cases: We report five observations. In all these cases of unilateral maculopathy, no etiologic factors were found. Surgical removal was required in only two of these cases.
Results: These membranes were whitish and presented extensions along retinal vessals to which they were very adhesive. The absence of posterior vitreous detachment was confirmed during vitrectomy and histopathologic examination found a predominance of extracellular matrix.
Discussion: In these idiopathic membranes, clinical and histopathological findings evoke a dysembryopathy. Surgery decision must attach great importance to the relative amblyopia of these eyes, the low evolutivity and the risks of iatrogenic tears during dissection.