The damage may be caused by macular degeneration or other eye diseases, so the Amsler chart is effective in identifying these problems.
Early detection means early treatment, so it can reduce the chance of vision loss.
If you are at risk for macular degeneration (yellow spot analysis) or other eye diseases, you can use this chart at home to check your vision. However, using the chart does not mean that you can skip your regular eye exams, as it may be easy to miss signs that only an eye specialist can see.
How to do the Amsler test
1.Testing your eyes with the Amsler chart is easy and only takes a few minutes. The steps are as follows:
2.Test your eyes in a place with good reading light.
3.If you have reading glasses, put them on your eyes.
4.Hold the Amsler chart about 40 centimeters from your eyes.
5.Test each eye separately: Place your hand over the other eye while testing one eye.
Focus your eye on the center dot of the Amsler chart and answer these questions:
Do the lines on the chart look wavy, blurry, or crooked?
Are all the squares on the chart square and the same size?
Are there “holes” or dark squares in the chart?
Can you see all the corners and edges of the chart (while keeping your eye focused on the center dot)?
Repeat all of these steps for the other eye.
It is very important to report any abnormalities to your eye doctor immediately. Mark any areas of the Amsler chart that you cannot see properly (use two separate charts if you feel that both eyes are having problems) and take the chart(s) with you to your eye doctor.
As recommended by your ophthalmologist, at regular intervals, or whenever you notice a significant change in your vision, check your eyes with the Amsler grid and be sure to report the results to your doctor.