Purpose: To illustrate succinctly the various stages of macular hole formation.
Method: We photodocumented the evolution of a full-thickness macular hole in a patient who refused surgery.
Results: A 60-year-old woman, who had had difficulty reading for 3 months, was initially examined with a stage 1B macular hole in her right eye that progressed to stage 2 over a 6-month period and then to stage 3, 2 years after initial examination.
Conclusions: This case demonstrates vividly and succinctly the development of a full-thickness macular hole from stage 1B to stage 3 and provides a unique opportunity to study carefully in a single eye the sequential progression of this important retinal disorder.