VISUAL-ACUITY AS A PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR IN STAGE-I MACULAR HOLES

PURPOSE/METHODS: To evaluate the role of initial visual acuity as a fa ctor for progressive loss of vision or progression to a full thickness macular hole in eyes with stage I macular holes (tractional foveal de tachment without dehiscence). The study population included 35 patient s with stage I macular holes with best corrected visual acuity of 20/2 5 to 20/80 in one eye, and a full-thickness macular hole in the fellow eye. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with stage I macular holes with best c orrected visual acuity between 20/50 and 20/80 had a 66% (ten of 15 ey es) rate of progression to full-thickness macular hole, whereas eyes w ith best corrected visual acuity of between 20/25 and 20/40 had a 30% (six of 20 eyes) risk of progression to full thickness macular hole. T he risk of progression to macular hole is significantly higher in eyes with stage I macular holes with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/50 or worse (P = .03).