Amsler Grid

[Marc0207]

My eyes look fine when looking at the Amsler Grid, although is it normal to notice a lot of visual noise while looking at the grid? It's what they call Visual Snow and it intensifies while I'm looking at it, is that normal? Another question is, I notice that when I put the grid very close to my eyes like 3 inches away, the peripheral part of the grid is becoming distorted. Should I be concerned? Let's say that when I'm using my left eyes, the left portion of the grid is distorted and vise versa. Is that normal when looking at the grid this close? Thanks.

[Marc0207]

Thank you for you reply Doctor John Hagan. I really appreciate it. I searched the term that you mentioned and yes, I think that's what's happening to me. One more question if you don't mind. My eyes are fine and all, I am highly myopic but the doctor said my eyes were fine. Thing is, I noticed this months ago that when I look at far left and far right, I can see black patches appearing on my vision. Is it normal? When I do this on the dark, it appears as flashes whenever I'm looking far left and far right.

[JohnHaganMD]

If you read the section on entopic phenomena in Wikipedia it talks about arching, specifically end point arcing in the dark. When you pull your eyes quickly to the side when they are dark adapted you can create a"arc" of light which is the eye muscles stimulating the underlying retina.  

[JohnHaganMD]

To be accurate the grid needs to be held at the prescribed distance which varies depending on grid size. Testing at 3 inches invalidates the test. I don't know anything about visual snow I've never taken care of a patient that has come in to my office with that complaint. You may be aware of an entopic phenomena known as the 'flying corpuscle"   Read the section in Wikipedia on entopic phenomena.