Amsler Grid: Monitoring Your Central Vision at Home

What the Amsler grid is — and what it is for

The Amsler grid is a grid of evenly spaced horizontal and vertical lines with a small dot at the centre. It is used to check for distortions in central vision, one eye at a time.

It is primarily a monitoring tool for patients who have been diagnosed with or are at elevated risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or other macular conditions. Daily use allows patients to notice subtle changes between clinic appointments and report them promptly.

Print a copy to use at home.

How to use it

1. Hold the grid at your normal reading distance. If you wear reading glasses, keep them on.
2. Cover one eye and focus your open eye on the centre dot.
3. Without moving your gaze from the dot, notice the surrounding grid — look for any wavy or distorted lines, blurred or dark patches, or areas that appear missing.
4. If you notice anything new or changed, contact your optometrist promptly. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment.
5. Repeat for the other eye.

Test each eye separately. One eye can compensate for the other, masking changes you would otherwise catch.

What changes to look for

• Lines that appear wavy, bowed, or distorted
• Areas of the grid that look blurred, greyed out, or washed out
• Dark or blank spots (scotomas) anywhere on the grid
• Patches that appear to be missing entirely

If any of these are new — or have changed since your last test — contact us.

What to do if you notice changes

Contact your optometrist promptly. Do not wait until your next scheduled visit.

New distortions or changes on the Amsler grid can indicate progression of macular disease, including conversion from dry AMD to wet AMD. Wet AMD can progress quickly and is time-sensitive to treat — prompt assessment allows for timely management and referral to a retinal specialist if needed.

Who should be using the Amsler grid

Your optometrist will advise whether at-home monitoring is appropriate for your situation. It is generally recommended for:

• Patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (any stage)
• Patients with a history of macular conditions or significant risk factors
• Anyone specifically instructed by their optometrist to monitor between visits

It is not a routine screening tool for patients without a known or suspected macular condition.

The Amsler grid does not replace an eye exam

At-home monitoring is a supplement, not a substitute.

The Amsler grid does not measure acuity, eye pressure, optic nerve health, or retinal structure. Patients monitoring macular conditions still require regular comprehensive exams — including retinal imaging and OCT — to track changes that may not be detectable through self-testing alone.

Related

• Retinal imaging, OCT, and eye health testing
• Do I need an eye exam if my vision seems fine?