The effect of acetazolamide in the treatment of chronic macular edema has been well established. The pharmacologic action of this product suggested possible efficacy in the treatment of serous retinal detachment. We studied 38 patients presenting with serous retinal detachments of various etiologies divided into four groups: age related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy or diffuse epithelial retinopathy, epiretinal membranes, and other causes. Treatment with acetazolamide, at a dosage of 0.375 g/day, in three divided doses was proposed for five weeks. We observed a reduction of metamorphopsia in all cases, a stability or even an improvement of visual acuity, and a resorption of serous retinal detachment confirmed by decreased pooling of fluorescein on the angiographic examination. Considering each etiology, clinical and angiographic findings demonstrated the value of this treatment, although this study was not prospective. The encouraging results observed in many cases, raise hopes concerning the treatment for these diseases, usually not amenable to treatment.