Do the Amsler test
Eye disorders are sometimes very insidious. Gradually, the vision deteriorates, but it is difficult to remember when it started. Quick action often prevents suffering. With the Amsler test you test your eyes for wet macular degeneration.
When your yellow spot or macula is damaged, we speak of macular degeneration (MD). The macula is the point in your eyeball that allows you to see clearly. As a result, you can see increasingly unclear in the center of your vision (central vision), while you see sharply around it (peripheral vision). You also notice that you need more and more light to see something clearly.
Wet and Dry MD
There are two forms: Dry and Wet MD. The course of dry MD is very slow. Your central vision becomes blurry very slowly. You often suffer equally from dry MD in both eyes.
A more severe form is wet MD. This can cause vision to deteriorate much faster. Not only do you see unclearly, but your image also gets distorted. You suddenly see a kink in a window frame or in the lines of a book. Wet MD usually manifests in one eye at a time. The distorted images seen by the diseased eye are usually corrected by the healthy eye. It is therefore important to test both eyes for possible presence of wet MD. This can be done using the Amsler test.
(double click on the image to enlarge)
How does the Amsler test work?
- Wear your regular glasses or contact lenses.
- Hold the grid 30 centimeters from the face.
- Cover one of the eyes with the hand.
- With the other eye, look closely at the center of the grid.
- Look closely at what is happening:
– Do you see wavy lines or distortions?
– Do black or faint spots appear?
In case of disturbed vision, see your doctor as soon as possible.
With early detection and treatment, the vision that is still present can be preserved in some cases. So repeat the Amsler test regularly and make sure you recognize the signs of wet MD.
