We review our experience and present an analysis of 119 consecutive cases of macular pucker treated by vitrectomy and removal of the epiretinal tissue following treatment for acute retinal tears (16 eyes) or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (103 eyes). Vision improved postoperatively in 104 (87%) of the 119 eyes. Final visual acuity of 20/60 or better was achieved in 38 (75%) of 51 cases in which the macula had not been detached previously and in 12 (24%) of 52 cases with prior macular detachment. Two preoperative factors were associated with a final visual acuity of 20/100 or better: (1) macula not involved by the original retinal detachment, and (2) thin epiretinal membrane.