Amsler Grid

After reading an article about the Food for eyesight, author find interesting method on the internet to detect early whether a person is still healthy eyesight or has begun to decline, the name of the method is the Amsler Grid, this test for Macular Degeneration, this method has been used since 1945, is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macular (the central part of the retina) or the optic nerve. The grid was developed by Marc Amsler, a Swiss ophthalmologist.

If you want to know whether you are at risk for macular degeneration or not, you can find out using this table, by trying grid Amsler table at home. But using these tables does not mean you should skip regular visits to your eye doctor.


Amsler grids are often used to test one's vision at home. Patients with macular degeneration are often instructed to monitor their vision daily with an amsler grid. This is because if their condition begins to worsen, treatment should be started immediately. Treatments for macular degeneration, such as Avastin or Lucentis, are more effective if they are started soon after disease progression occurs.

The original amsler grid contained white lines on a black background, but now Amsler grids often have black lines on a white background. but I will give an example the original Amsler grid that I got from wiki :

How to use the Amsler Grid :
• Position the table 14 inches away from your face.
• Wear the eyeglasses that you normally wear for reading. (if you wearing)
• Cover one eye, and then focus on the dot in the center.
• Stare at the dot in the center. Do not let your eye drift from the center dot.
• Don't forget to test both eyes.

Might be viewed by a person with age related macular degeneration.

• Contact your eye doctor immediately if you see in Amsler Grid table, the straight lines appear wavy or bent,the boxes differ in size or shape from the others, or the lines are missing, blurry or discolored. Like an picture above .