| It is best for the patient if Age Related Macular | | | | The grid will instantly show you this because the |
| Degeneration (ARMD) is diagnosed early. There is | | | | straight lines on the grid will be wavy and |
| an effective macular degeneration test and other | | | | distorted. You may also not be able to see areas |
| tools that can be useful in detecting if ARMD is | | | | on the grid clearly and there may be some areas |
| present. Many Ophthalmologists use an Amsler | | | | that are completely missing. By using the grid, you |
| grid to determine if a person has the beginning | | | | will be alerted if you are showing early symptoms |
| signs of ARMD. | | | | of ARMD. |
| The Amsler grid test can be done at home as | | | | Early detection of the disease is absolutely |
| well as in the doctor's office. It is a very simple | | | | essential so that some sort of treatment can be |
| way to test your vision for macular degeneration | | | | started to slow the process of the disease. If you |
| and to monitor it if you already have been | | | | are diagnosed with dry ARMD at this point, there |
| diagnosed with the disease. The test sheet itself | | | | is a chance that it will develop into the more |
| looks like a regular piece of graph paper. Some | | | | serious wet ARMD. Slowing its progress will |
| Amsler grids are white with black lines and others | | | | possibly eliminate the more severe form later on. |
| are black with white lines. It's easy to go online | | | | Take your test with you when you visit your eye |
| and print out a copy to use at home or even use | | | | doctor. He or she may recommend that you do |
| the grid online. | | | | the test at home periodically to detect any |
| The Amsler grid is an excellent tool to determine | | | | changes in your vision between appointments. |
| if you are having difficulty seeing straight lines. | | | | |