This paper presents the clinical findings in 12 patients with a peculiar vascular mass of the sensory retina. On the basis of ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, ultrasonography and other studies, the authors presume that the described lesion is a primary acquired benign vascular tumor, most likely a variant of capillary hemangioma. The features that seem to differentiate clinically this lesion from von Hippel's retinal angiomatosis, other ocular tumors, and pseudotumors are discussed and therapeutic recommendations are presented.