What is the Amsler Grid? Testing Your Eyes for AMD: A Complete Guide

AMD is an acronym for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. It is a popular condition in elderly people especially those who have crossed 65 years of age and are suffering from vision loss. You might notice some early symptoms of this condition which might seem inconsiderable in the start but with time progression they become more severe. The main cause of AMD is the deterioration of the macula which is an undesirable process that takes place during the aging tenure. The exact location of the macula is in the middle of your retina. The reason why a fully functioning macula is important for you is because it gives precise and clear detail considering your central vision.

The reason behind the blurry central vision is the damage to the macula. This is accompanied by an interrupted visual field having black spots and leads to the fading of color vision. This is why early diagnosis of AMD is important to prevent further loss of macular function. The good news about early-stage AMD diagnosis is that it saves you from going through a long and tiring treatment process. But in case the condition gets worse your optometrist will carefully examine your visual health and suggest the best treatment options and Amsler grid test. For advanced AMD stages, photodynamic therapy also known as PDT or anti-VEGF drugs is also helpful.

Amsler Grid Distortion Variations

There are basically two main variations when it comes to Amsler grid distortion examples. One is the Dry AMD while the other is the Wet AMD.

• Dry AMD: This is a condition caused by the gradual thinning of the macula which further causes vision complications.
• Wet AMD: It is a more severe form of dry AMD if it is neglected and left untreated. The main cause of wet AMD is macular fluid leakage which is caused as the result of the formation of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. The onset of this macular deterioration is more rapid and is the main causative factor in most cases of AMD-related blindness.

Risk Factors for AMD

There are different risk factors that contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration sum of which are mentioned below:

• Cigarette inhalation
• Obesity
• Aging (above 50)
• High cholesterol levels
• Family history of AMD
• Fatty diet (especially saturated fat)
• High blood pressure
• Heart complications

Symptoms of AMD

Unfortunately, you might not witness any early symptoms of age-related macular degeneration as it is a progressive condition. It is more noticeable in the later stage as the extent of macular damage is significantly high. As the intermediate stage of AMD approaches you might feel things getting blurred at first glance. Moreover, in this stage, it is also difficult for you to see things properly in dim lighting. The symptoms are more severe in the late stages of AMD including both the dry and wet variations. There is significant growth in the blurry region leading to the creation of blank spots which act as no-sight zones for the sufferer.

Tests for AMD

When thinking of an appropriate test for macular degeneration there are multiple options that you can choose from. An optometrist will review your family and medical history and diagnose AMD by performing different tests along with your routine eye exam.

• Eye Exam: For this exam, the doctor dilates your eye using drops followed by an examination of the eye anterior with the help of a special instrument. The purpose of this exam is to look for yellow deposits that are present under the retina and are known as drusen
• Central Vision Test: When diagnosing problems related to the central vision Amsler grid is used by the eye doctors. People who are suffering from this condition have blurred or distorted vision. They might also see broken lines on the grid which normally has straight lines.
• Fluorescein Angiography: This is another test that uses a colored die for highlighting the blood vessels present in your eyes. For taking images a specialized camera is also used. In these images, you can find abnormal blood vessels or other retinal changes.
• Optical Coherence Tomography: Also known as OCT; it is a test used for making a detailed map of your retina. This test involves a noninvasive imager which is helpful in the identification of swelling or thinning in your retina.

What is Amsler Grid?

What is the Amsler Grid? Testing Your Eyes for AMD; It is a testing tool that has a square shape with a grid pattern on it having a dot in the center. You can use this tool to figure out if your vision is distorted or blurry. Moreover, it is also helpful in detecting visual field blank spots.

How to Use Amsler Grid?

A major question that arises here is how to use the Amsler grid. Well, here we are mentioning some easy instructions that you can follow for using this grid appropriately.

• Look for a room having good lighting and make sure that you are wearing your normal eyewear.
• Now hold the grid as you hold a book while reading.
• Cover one eye using your hand.
• Now from the uncovered eye focus on the central dot of the Amsler grid.
• The lines should appear straight in case of healthy eye vision and will appear blurry dark, distorted, wavy, or blank if you have AMD.
• Follow the same process for diagnosing AMD in your other eye.

AMD Lifestyle Changes

There are some great suggestions that you can consider to improve your quality of life after being diagnosed with AMD. These tips will also help in reducing the vision loss process contributing to your overall eye health and improving macular degeneration Amsler grid mild distortion process.

• Make sure to quit smoking and get professional help in this regard
• It is important to improve your diet, consider adding antioxidants, healthy fat, protein, zinc and Omega 3 fatty acid to your food for improving your eye health.
• You should develop a habit of regular exercise to keep yourself healthy and fit.
• Make sure not to miss your regular eye exams for the best monitoring of your eye health.
• Self-assessment on a regular basis will keep you aware of your AMD condition for which you should use Amsler Grid daily.

Conclusion

Age-Related Macular Degeneration is a condition for which you should get medical help as soon as possible. If you are having any issues while using the Amsler grid you should contact your doctor. It is important to understand the proper use of the this grid at home. Ask your doctor for sufficient education and let him know if you are having any vision complications after use.

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