We continue with our Optometry Infographics series with our latest on the stages of macular hole development.
Stage 1 Macular Hole (or impending MH): Localized contraction of the perifoveal vitreous causes a tractional detachment of the fovea resulting in a loss of the foveal contour. Stage 1 holes are characterized clinically as a small round yellow spot or ring in the fovea. Visual acuity is usually better than 20/50.
Stage 2 Macular Hole: This stage is marked by a small full-thickness retinal break (<400 µm in diameter). This can occur weeks to months following Stage 1 MHs (approximately 50% progress to Stage 2). A further decline in visual acuity is also noted (20/50 to 20/80 range). In most cases, the posterior hyaloid has been confirmed to be still attached to the fovea on OCT analysis.