Amsler Grid

[nicfanz]

I took several Amsler Grid tests and I noticed that when I squint really hard, I can see the lines inside the dot in the middle. The dot is dark black but when I squint, the spot becomes transparent and I can see the intersection of the lines. Sometimes the lines are bent/broken but that only applies to the intersection inside the black dot but the lines around the spot are normal. Does anyone know what I am talking about and if it's normal?

Also, there was this one particular big grid and the spot was really big. When I looked at it, I see the dot shake. But that doesn't happen to other grids only that one.

[mel07green]

i have lots of missing bits on the grid. that is what i don't understand. should they not show up objectively, or are they too small?

when do "idiosynchracies" become pathology?

it's all too much

[JohnHaganMD]

The Amsler grid test is to check for pathology in the macula--most often macular degeneration of the wet type.

The test is not meant to be taking while squinting as you describe. The eyes should be open and relaxed. If a person wears reading glasses or bifocal/lineless bifocal these should be used, If they wear single vision glasses "all the time" the test should be done with the glasses on. Each eye is tested separately. An abnormal test will show the lines wavy, crooked, distorted or areas missing.

Patients with macular degeneration should report a major change in the Amsler Grid to their ophthalmologist AS AN EMERGENCY.

JCH MD