What is the Amsler grid?

How can patients independently monitor macular-yellow spot disease, our point of clear vision?

Amsler grid  is a very simple test that is recommended for patients with yellow spot disease in order to control themselves at home. The grid is a square 10×10 cm which is divided by vertical and horizontal lines at 0.5 cm, with a dot in the middle. Patients hold the grid in front of them and observe the vertical point while observing the vertical and horizontal lines. The test must be performed with each eye individually, wearing reading glasses. Patients should see straight lines and the grid as a whole. The “curvature of the lines” or the deformation of the image of the expert-metamorphography, as well as the stain inside the grid, signifies the appearance of fluid and blood at the very point of clear vision, which is a very bad sign. In this way, patients with the dry form of degeneration may notice the transition to the wet form. In that case, they must immediately call an ophthalmologist-retinologist.

Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness-loss of central vision, especially when it comes to highly developed countries in which life expectancy is significantly extended. Fortunately, 90% of patients have a dry form of the disease that is milder, less aggressive, progresses more slowly, while in 10% of cases patients develop a wet form that is a more severe form of the disease, when in a couple of weeks dramatic loss of vision can occur due to macular bleeding.

It is with the help of the Amsler grid that patients with dry macular degeneration can notice changes in the central visual field and the transition from dry to wet form very early. The diagnosis is certainly confirmed by an ophthalmologist-retinologist with an examination of the posterior segment and the necessary OCT image. Timely started anti VEGF therapy in the initial phase of the wet form can lead to the preservation of central vision in most cases.

With this test, check your own vision and contact us for more information, regular vision control or a specialist examination of the back of the eye.
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