Nearly half of the standard and threshold scotomas were not detected by Amsler grid testing. Fifty-five patients with vision loss in the macular region and 10 normally sighted subjects. All testing was done at both standard and threshold light conditions. Amsler grid testing was performed with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope and the TA-300 system (Stereo Optical, Chicago, III).

Fundus perimetry determined the existence, size, and retinal location of macular scotomas. To compare the reports of scotomas and metamorphopsia in standard and threshold Amsler grid testing with the location and extent of scotomas in the macular region as determined by standard and threshold fundus perimetry.ĭesign. Your perception of any vision changes, however slight, is important in your care to protect your vision. Our office can provide you with grids to use at home. If you have AMD, talk to your Texas Retina Associates physician about how often you should check your eyes with an Amsler Grid. However, it is important to know that dry AMD can also cause the development of Amsler grid changes that tend to worsen slowly unlike wet changes. New development of distortion or blurring in the Amsler grid appearance is suggestive of possible wet AMD with a leakage that may be treatable. It can also result in a “blind spot” appearing near the center of your visual field. This build-up of fluid can interfere with your vision, causing the lines to look curved or wavy. If you have wet AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina and may leak, causing accumulation of blood or other fluid. If you notice any new or worsening distortion or blind spots, call us right away, and be sure to bring your grids with you to your next appointment.Be sure to use separate grids for each eye and label them. Mark any of those problem areas on the chart.Keep your eye focused on that dot and determine if any of the lines around it appear wavy, blurred, distorted or missing.

With the eye you are testing, look at the center black dot.

Test one eye at a time by covering or closing the opposite eye.

Be sure to have it at the same distance each time you test your eyes.

Hold or post the grid at a convenient reading distance.

If you normally wear glasses for reading, put them on.

Make sure you are in a room with adequate and consistent light.

If you experience any of these things, you can mark them on the appropriate place on the grid. It is used to check if any of the lines appear wavy or distorted or if any areas of the grid appear to be missing, also known as blind spots. The Amsler grid is similar to a piece of graph paper with a small dot in the center. If caught early, there are treatment options for wet AMD that can help limit or slow vision loss.

Since 10% of people diagnosed with dry AMD are at risk of converting to the wet form, it is especially important for them to monitor their vision with an Amsler grid to help detect progression to wet AMD. People with “wet” macular degeneration often note the sudden onset of distortion, blurring or missing areas when checking the grid.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common reason for a patient to learn to use an Amsler grid. An Amsler grid is a tool that can help detect early signs of retinal disease that affect the macula which is the center of vision in the retina.