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What is the Amsler Grid Test

Medically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Jennifer M. Edwards on October 11, 2022

Amsler grid test for macular degeneration and other retinal conditions

As you age, you might find your vision changing. While some changes might require nothing other than a pair of drugstore reading glasses, others could indicate something more serious. Conditions that could damage your vision if they go undetected too long include:age-related macular degenerationcentral serous chorioretinopathypresumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome Medical professionals screen for macular degeneration because it’s more common as you age. Macular degeneration affects the macula, a small part of the retina in the back of your eye. It’s the leading cause of blindness in older adults. About 11 million Americans of all ages are estimated to have it. Regular eye exams are crucial for finding macular degeneration and other conditions early, before they lead to vision loss. One simple at-home option is an Amsler grid test. Read on to learn more about the test and what conditions it can help identify.

How to perform the Amsler grid test

The Amsler grid is a square-shaped graph with uniform lines and a dot in the center. The grid will look distorted or nonuniform in center areas if you have certain conditions. Marc Amsler, a professor of ophthalmology in the Eye Clinic at the University of Zurich, developed the grid in the 1950s. Share on PinterestAmsler grid.Take the test by looking at the grid and following these instructions from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:Hold it 12 to 15 inches from your face in good light. Wear any glasses you’d typically wear to read. Cover one eye.Look directly at the center dot with your uncovered eye and keep your eye focused on it.While looking directly at the center dot, notice in your side vision if all grid lines look straight or if any lines or areas look blurry, wavy, dark, or are missing.Follow the same steps with the other eye.Repeat once daily because macular degeneration causes tiny changes over time.

What to do if you see wavy lines after taking the Amsler grid test

If any parts of the grid are missing or look blurry, wavy, distorted, or darker than the rest, contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible for a checkup.

Conditions that an Amsler grid test may detect

The Amsler grid test won’t find every vision problem you may have, but it can indicate some serious ones besides macular degeneration, including:Central serous chorioretinopathy: This is a condition in which fluid builds up under your retina and can cause it to detach, causing vision loss.Development of choroidal neovascular membrane: This defect is associated with many conditions, including macular degeneration, presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, and myopic macular degeneration.Macular pucker: Also known as an epiretinal membrane, it can cause distortions in your central field of vision due to a thin layer of scar tissue that forms inside the retina.Acute macular neuroretinopathy: This is a rare condition that most commonly affects young women. Cystoid macular edema: Cystoid macular edema develops when blood vessels in your retina leak fluid into the macula, causing it to swell.Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: This condition happens when blood flow to the optic nerve is lost.Pituitary tumor: A pituitary tumor may put too much pressure on your optic nerves, causing vision loss. This usually causes peripheral vision lossMacular sparing: This occurs when you lose your vision everywhere except in the center. this is a description and not a diagnosis or disease.

Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration

A 2016 study of almost 4,000 people found that the risk of having early macular degeneration was highest among white people, lowest among Black people, and moderate among those of Asian descent. However, all of the people in the study were diagnosed with atherosclerosis, a risk factor for the condition, and more research is needed. You’re more likely to develop macular degeneration if you:smokeeat a diet high in saturated fathave hypertensionhave a family history of the conditionare overweightare older than 60

Importance of getting regular eye exams

Early detection is important in preventing and treating vision loss. You can take the Amsler grid test at home, but regular checkups can uncover other potential vision problems and health conditions. If some conditions aren’t identified early, they could lead to conditions such as cataracts, eye complications from diabetes, and glaucoma.

Takeaway

You can take the Amsler grid test at home every day to identify small changes in your vision that indicate a problem. The test isn’t a substitute for regular eye exams, which can uncover a variety of conditions before they get worse. Last medically reviewed on October 11, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Comparison of Anti-VEGF Treatments for Wet AMD. (2020).
aao.org/eye-health/diseases/avastin-eylea-lucentis-differenceFisher, et. al. (2016). Incidence of age-related macular degeneration in a multi-ethnic United States population: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis. .
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4877264/Have AMD? Save your sight with an Amsler grid. (n.d.).
aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/facts-about-amsler-grid-daily-vision-testKanukollu V, et al. (2021). Epiretinal membrane.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560703/Keep an eye on your vision health. (n.d.).
cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/keep-eye-on-vision-health.htmlMiller J, et. al. (2021). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): A view to the future.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7962647/Raizida K, et al. (2021). Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559045/Tripathy K, et al. (2022). Amsler grid.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538141/What is the Macula? (n.d.).
macularsociety.org/macular-disease/macula/What is macular degeneration? (n.d.).
aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degenerationOur experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Oct 11, 2022 By Jennifer M. Edwards Edited By Roman Gokhman Medically Reviewed By Grace Zhang, MD Copy Edited By Sarah Mills Share this articleMedically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Jennifer M. Edwards on October 11, 2022

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