To study the familial occurrence of central serous retinopathy (CSR).We pooled data from eight eye clinics in Western Europe.We collected 11 families that each had two to four members with CSR. In 10 families siblings and in one family a mother and son were affected. Sixty percent of the patients were male and 40% female. CSR was found in 55 (92%) of 60 eyes, 44 (80%) showing a chronic course. In 25 patients (83%) both eyes were affected. Most recent visual acuity was 0.5 or less in 17 (39%) and 0.2 or less in 8 (18%) of the eyes with chronic CSR.Our findings of familial occurrence and a chronic disorder that is progressive, diffuse, and bilateral suggest an inborn disposition to develop a clinically manifest disintegration of the retinal pigment epithelium in adulthood.