Here’s what you need to know about the Amsler grid and how to use it

Use the Amsler grid for early detection of AMD

While it’s common for changes in vision to occur as we age, in addition to regular checkups with your eyecare professional, you can monitor your visual health at home. Using an at-home tool called the Amsler grid, you can detect any changes in your vision as early as possible.

Your eyecare professional can determine whether any changes in your vision are the result of a more serious, underlying condition, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD often starts as dry AMD but can progress to a more severe form called wet AMD¹. Catching any change to your vision as early as possible is key to potentially slowing the progression of vision loss. Using the Amsler grid on a regular basis can help with early diagnosis¹.

The progression from dry to wet AMD

In dry AMD, the macula at the back of the retina, which is responsible for seeing fine detail, starts to thin and accumulate drusen, which causes people to slowly lose their central vision².

Wet AMD is less common but much more serious^1,2. It occurs when blood vessels start to grow behind the retina and leak blood and other fluids, scarring the macula and causing irreversible vision loss².

Wet AMD almost always progresses from dry AMD, so it’s important for those with dry AMD to check their eyes regularly to ensure early diagnosis. This will also help them prevent permanent damage from scarring of the macula that occurs with wet AMD¹.

Since early detection of any change in visual acuity is so important, checking your eyes at home with the Amsler grid can help you detect any changes.

What is the Amsler grid?

An Amsler grid is a simple black-and-white grid with a black dot in the middle¹. Ophthalmologists like Dr. Ghassan Cordahi recommend that patients with dry AMD incorporate the grid into their daily routine so any changes in vision can be detected promptly.

This can be done after brushing your teeth every morning or when taking your daily medication, for example.

“If there’s any conversion from dry to wet AMD, that’s probably one of the earliest tests that’s going to show something,” Dr. Cordahi says. “I usually recommend it to all the patients who have AMD.”

When you first start using the grid, Dr. Cordahi says you’ll have to establish your baseline before you’re able to start noticing any changes. You may already have some distortions as your baseline. Use it for about a month to get an idea of what’s normal for your eyes and be observant of any changes.

“It’s basically to establish that baseline and from there, if there are any changes, get in touch with your eyecare provider,” he says. “It takes 10 seconds. Just put it into your routine.”

How to use the Amsler grid

To use the Amsler grid, follow these steps¹:

Put on any glasses that you would normally wear to read.
Hold the grid about 15 inches away from your face and cover one eye.
Look at the black dot in the centre of the grid and notice if you see any wavy, blurry, blank or dark areas in the grid.
Follow the same steps for your other eye.

You can get an Amsler grid by printing one out online or asking for one at your local ophthalmologist office.

When to see a doctor

After you’ve used the grid for about a month or two, you should start to understand your baseline and notice if there are any changes in your vision. New developments that could indicate wet AMD include¹:

If large areas of the grid disappear or look completely black.
If the lines on the grid become wavy or distorted.
If the dot at the centre of the grid disappears.

Dr. Cordahi advises seeing your eyecare professional if you notice any of these changes that persist for at least one or two days.

Importance of early diagnosis

Since blood vessel leaks in wet AMD can cause irreversible damage to a person’s vision, Dr. Cordahi emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis.

Lastly, while using the Amsler grid is a great tool for self-monitoring, it shouldn’t replace your regular consultations with an eye care professional. Dr. Cordahi says the Amsler grid mainly detects changes close to the central vision so it may miss any changes in the periphery. Further, the early stages of wet AMD and other eye diseases may be asymptomatic so it’s important to see your doctor as often as recommended³.

Take charge of your vision with MacuMira Vision Therapy!

Protect your eyesight and detect changes early with the Amsler grid—a simple, effective tool for monitoring vision at home. By incorporating this quick test into your daily routine, you can stay proactive about your eye health and catch signs of AMD before they progress.

For added support, MacuMira Vision Therapy offers a non-invasive and comfortable solution to help manage AMD and preserve your vision. Don’t wait—schedule an eye exam today and speak to your eyecare professional about how MacuMira Vision Therapy can complement your efforts to protect your sight.

If you have questions about AMD, the Amsler grid, or MacuMira Vision Therapy, contact us today to learn more and take the next step toward healthier vision!

Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.