About the Amsler grid test
The Amsler grid is a simple square grid with a central dot, used to check your central vision for distortion. Fixing your gaze on the center dot, one eye at a time, you watch for lines that look wavy, blurry, dim, or missing. Those distortions can signal changes in the macula, the small central part of the retina responsible for fine detail.
It's widely used to monitor conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and many people with macular risk check it regularly at home. To use it well: wear your usual reading glasses, hold the screen at comfortable reading distance, cover one eye, and stare only at the center dot while noticing the rest with your peripheral attention. This is an at-home monitoring screen, not a diagnosis — any new wave, blur, or gap is a reason to contact an eye-care professional promptly.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Amsler grid test for?
Distortions or gaps in your central vision — wavy, blurry, dim, or missing lines — that can accompany macular problems such as age-related macular degeneration.
How do I use the Amsler grid correctly?
Wear reading glasses, hold the grid at comfortable reading distance, cover one eye, and fixate the center dot while noticing whether the surrounding lines look straight and complete.
What do wavy or missing lines mean?
They can indicate a macular change (metamorphopsia). It isn't a diagnosis, but new distortion should be checked by an eye-care professional promptly.
Can the Amsler grid replace a retina exam?
No. It's a monitoring screen you can use at home between exams, not a substitute for a dilated retinal examination.