Amsler Grid Test: Detecting Age-Related Macular Degeneration
It is the most common eye disease in western industrialized nations and the most likely cause of blindness in people over 50: we are talking about age-related macular degeneration, or AMD for short. As life expectancy in western countries increases, the likelihood of developing AMD in old age also increases. This makes it all the more important to recognize a possible disease early. Here you can find out which signs in everyday life can indicate AMD - and which simple self-test you can carry out at home.
A woman performs the Amsler grid test.
What signs in everyday life can indicate AMD?
In everyday life, AMD is noticeable through a reduction in visual acuity in the central field of vision. Reading becomes more difficult because letters or even entire lines of text suddenly become blurred. This often also means an increased need for light during the day to make reading or handicrafts easier. On the other hand, sensitivity to glare increases, which is particularly noticeable when driving at night. It is also typical that straight lines, such as those found in the joints between bathroom tiles or crossword puzzles, appear bent or distorted.
What is the Amsler Grid Test?
The easiest way to check at home whether there are any signs of age-related macular degeneration is to use the Amsler grid test. It was developed in the 1950s by the Swiss ophthalmologist Marc Amsler. The test couldn't be simpler: it consists of a sheet of paper with a grid pattern - hence the name. There is a black dot in the middle of the grid pattern. To test yourself, focus on the dot in the middle of the grid with one eye while the other eye is covered. To get a reliable result, you should do the test in normal daylight. The distance to the test grid should be 30 to 40 cm, which is roughly the length of an A4 sheet of paper. If you need reading glasses, put them on during the test. This note is very important for us: Of course, only a doctor can make a reliable diagnosis . Our test is simply intended to help you recognize abnormalities in your vision and signs of illness at an early stage so that you can then see a doctor.
Evaluating the Amsler Grid Test
If the grid does not appear in straight, continuous and regular lines, but is distorted, blurred or gapped, this may indicate age-related macular degeneration. If you experience one or more of these visual impairments, you should definitely have an eye doctor examine you. But even regardless of the self-test, a visit to the doctor is recommended on an annual basis, especially for older people. Many eye doctors even recommend regular check-ups from the age of 40.
Good vision is an important building block for independence in old age.
Step-by-step: Amsler grid test
- Download and print the grid test sheet
- Covering one eye
- With the other eye, focus the leaf in the middle at a distance of 30 to 40 cm in normal daylight
- If you need reading glasses, please wear them while taking the test
- Repeat the test with the other eye
- Compare your observation with the following checklist for self-diagnosis
checklist for self-diagnosis
If you experience one or more of these visual abnormalities, you should consult an ophthalmologist:
- The dot in the middle is not visible
- The lines are distorted
- The lines show interruptions
- The boxes appear different sizes
- The corners are not visible
- A grey veil covers the picture
- Empty spaces appear in the grid
