Take the Macular Degeneration Test

Use the Amsler Grid to test yourself

This diagnostic tool was created by Marc Amsler, an Opthalmologist from Switzerland, in 1945. This test does not replace the need for a comprehensive eye exam conducted by a certified Optometrist, but it does help an individual assess and monitor symptoms of Macular Degeneration as soon as they arise. Learn more about Macular Degeneration.
Illustration of a pig chef with normal vision on the left and with macular degeneration on the right.
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Instructions to conduct your visual test:

  1. Make sure you are in a well-lit room. In the case that you wear glasses, have them on for the assessment.
  2. Position your eyes 12-14 inches away from the Amsler Grid.
  3. Cover one eye, and with the open eye, focus on the black dot in the center of the grid.
  4. Answer the 5 questions above the grid in relation to your visual experience. Report these notes to your Optometrist.
  5. Repeat the test with your second eye.
Please note that an Amsler Grid should not be solely relied upon for a conclusive diagnosis. Make sure to consult with your Optometrist if you have even one “Yes” response to any of the five questions while conducting the test.
A white grid paper with a small black dot in the center
A table with questions about vision issues in both eyes. The table includes questions about blurred, dark areas, wavy or bent lines, shaped or incomplete squares, and discoloration in the grid. Each question has two columns for 'Yes' and 'No' responses for both the right and left eyes. The questions are: Are there blurred, dark areas in the grid? Do the lines appear wavy, bent, or distorted? Are the squares in the grid shaped differently or incomplete? Are you able to see all 4 sides of the grid? Do the lines or boxes appear discolored?
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