| The test used to detect AMD by opticians is | | | | waste in the retina is thought to be caused by |
| simple but effective and can also be used at | | | | age and free radical damage. |
| home as an indicator to the development of the | | | | · Some Key Point on what to look out |
| condition between your visits to the optician. I | | | | for when taking the test are as follows: |
| would like to emphasise at this juncture, however, | | | | · Do any of the lines look wavy or |
| that if you are taking the test at home and find | | | | blurred? |
| any negative results, you must seek the | | | | · Are there any areas missing from the |
| appropriate medical advice without delay. | | | | grid? |
| The process entails staring at the centre spot on | | | | · Are there any dark areas on the grid? |
| a black-lined grid with a white background. If you | | | | · Can you see all four comers of the |
| are doing it yourself, then you could use a card | | | | grid? |
| with the grid printed on it, or locate a suitable site | | | | All the lines should be straight and the squares all |
| on the internet and use the screen of your | | | | the same size with sharp right angles on the |
| computer. It is important to remember to wear | | | | intersections. |
| your reading glasses if applicable to you when | | | | Dry age related macular degeneration takes |
| taking the test and position yourself at your | | | | several years to develop so by using this simple |
| normal reading distance from the test grid. | | | | and easy to use test, periodically between visits |
| You test one eye at a time by covering each | | | | to your eye doctor, can bring you peace of mind |
| eye in turn and stare at the centre spot of the | | | | especially if you are predisposed to developing the |
| area. This spot is marked with a small black dot | | | | condition. You are more than twice as likely to |
| to avoid any confusion as to where you should be | | | | develop AMD if you smoke, have high blood |
| focusing your attention. If all the lines are visible, | | | | pressure or a parent or sibling suffers with this |
| clear and in focus, then your macular is showing | | | | visual impairment. The risk from smoking can be |
| no signs of damage caused by a build-up of | | | | eliminated, and your blood pressure can be |
| Drusen. Just to remind you that these, or druse | | | | controlled with the help from your doctor. The |
| singular, are tiny deposits of waste matter from | | | | third case is very much a probability factor, but |
| typical cellular activity which are deposited under | | | | by living as healthily as you can reduces your risk. |
| the retina leaving an uneven surface. The | | | | We only have one body and it has to last a long |
| decreasing efficiency of the cells to eliminate | | | | time, so look after it. |