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Amsler grid

AI overview

The Amsler grid is a grid of horizontal and vertical lines used to monitor a person's central visual field, developed by Swiss ophthalmologist Marc Amsler in 1945.

Key points
  • It is a diagnostic tool that aids in detecting visual disturbances caused by changes in the retina, particularly the macula, as well as the optic nerve and visual pathway.
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    It is a diagnostic tool that aids in the detection of visual disturbances caused by changes in the retina , particularly the macula
  • It can show defects in the central 20 degrees of the visual field.
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    An Amsler grid can show defects in the central 20 degrees of the visual field
  • There are 7 types of Amsler grid charts, all measuring 10 cm × 10 cm.
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    There are 7 types of Amsler grid charts. All charts measure 10 cm × 10 cm
  • A color version with a blue and yellow grid is more sensitive and can test for a wide variety of visual pathway abnormalities.
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    A color version with a blue and yellow grid is more sensitive and can be used to test for a wide variety of visual pathway abnormalities
  • It was the first functional test proposed to evaluate metamorphopsia.
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    It was the first functional test proposed to evaluate metamorphopsia
Symptoms
  • Patients with macular disease may see wavy lines or some lines may be missing.
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    Patients with macular disease may see wavy lines or some lines may be missing
  • Choroidal neovascular membranes cause scotoma and metamorphopsia.
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    Choroidal neovascular membranes cause scotoma and metamorphopsia
  • Central serous chorioretinopathy causes round or oval scotoma.
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    CSCR Causes round or oval scotoma
  • Macular pucker causes metamorphopsia and distortions in central field of vision.
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    Macular pucker also known as an epiretinal membrane cause metamorphopsia and distortions in central field of vision
  • Due to macular edema, micropsia may occur.
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    Due to macular edema, micropsia may occur
Diagnosis
  • In the test, the person looks with each eye separately at the small dot in the center of the grid.
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    In the test, the person looks with each eye separately at the small dot in the center of the grid
  • The grid helps detect progression of AMD from dry form to wet form.
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    The grid will help detecting the progression of AMD from dry form to wet form
  • It is useful in detecting central field defects in moderate to severe glaucoma.
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    Amsler grid is useful in detecting central field defects in moderate to severe glaucoma
  • It can be used to detect and accurately measure macular sparing.
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    Amsler Grid can be used to detect and accurately measure macular sparing
  • Chart 3 (red on black) may help detect color scotomas and desaturation in toxic maculopathies, toxic optic neuropathies and pituitary tumors.
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    this type of chart may help in detecting color scotomas and desaturation which may occur in toxic maculopathies, toxic optic neuropathies and pituitary tumors
  • Before testing, near and distance vision should be corrected to normal; testing should be done with glasses if worn.
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    Before starting the test, patient's near and distance vision should be corrected to normal
  • The patient holds the grid 30 to 38 cm away, covers one eye, and looks directly at the center dot while observing the grid.
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    ask the patient to hold the grid 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) away from the face
Red flags
  • If any lines or areas look blurry, wavy, dark or blank, the patient should mark that area and consult an ophthalmologist.
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    If any lines or areas look blurry, wavy, dark or blank mark that area in chart and consult ophthalmologist
AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Amsler grid”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Amsler grid
Amsler grid, as seen by a person with normal vision
PurposeUsed to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula or the optic nerve[1]
Test ofCentral visual field

The Amsler grid, used since 1945, is a grid of horizontal and vertical lines used to monitor a person's central visual field. The grid was developed by Marc Amsler, a Swiss ophthalmologist. It is a diagnostic tool that aids in the detection of visual disturbances caused by changes in the retina, particularly the macula (e.g. macular degeneration, Epiretinal membrane), as well as the optic nerve and the visual pathway to the brain. An Amsler grid can show defects in the central 20 degrees of the visual field.[2]

In the test, the person looks with each eye separately at the small dot in the center of the grid. Patients with macular disease may see wavy lines or some lines may be missing.

Amsler grids are supplied by ophthalmologists, optometrists or from web sites, and may be used to test one's vision at home.

The original Amsler grid was black and white. A color version with a blue and yellow grid is more sensitive and can be used to test for a wide variety of visual pathway abnormalities, including those associated with the retina, the optic nerve, and the pituitary gland.

In 1869, Jacob Hermann Knapp described scotoma and metamorphopsia in traumatic maculopathy with choroidal rupture using horizontal lines. Similarly in 1874, Richard Forster demonstrated metamorphopsia using a square grid.[3] Swiss ophthalmologist Marc Amsler described the Amsler grid in the year 1945. It was the first functional test proposed to evaluate metamorphopsia.[4] He may have gotten the idea of the grid from Edmund Landolt, who used a similar small card with a grid pattern to be kept in the center of the visual field testing instrument perimeter.[3]

An Amsler grid, artist's conception, as it might be viewed by a person with age related macular degeneration

Amsler grid can be used in detecting central visual field defects in following conditions:

Amsler grid, Chart 1

There are 7 types of Amsler grid charts. All charts measure 10 cm × 10 cm (3.9 in × 3.9 in), which when viewed at a distance of 33 cm (13 in) from the eye can be used to measure defects in the central 20 degrees of the visual field.[3]

Chart 1

Chart 1 is the basic version, which is the most familiar and widely used chart among all the charts. In this chart the grid consists of 0.5 cm squares (each for 1° visual field), which totally measures 10 cm X 10 cm size. Most commonly grid is in white color with black background.[3] Grid with black lines in white background is also available [citation needed]

Chart 2

Chart 2 is similar to chart 1, but it has diagonal cross lines, which assist correct fixation in case of central scotoma.[citation needed]

Chart 3

Chart 3 is also identical to chart 1, but color is red on black. Stimulating long wavelength foveal cones, this type of chart may help in detecting color scotomas and desaturation which may occur in toxic maculopathies, toxic optic neuropathies and pituitary tumors etc.[9]

Chart 4

Chart 4 has no lines, only a random pattern of white dots in black background. It was intended to differentiate areas of scotoma and metamorphopsia.[citation needed]

Chart 5

Chart 5 has central white dot and horizontal white lines on black background 5mm apart, which allow detecting metamorphopsia.[citation needed]

Chart 6

Chart 6 is similar to chart 5, but lines and central dot is in black on white background. The lines near to fixation points are closer than the chart 5.[citation needed]

Chart 7

Chart 7 is similar to chart 1, however central squares are further divided into 0.5 degree squares.[citation needed]

The procedure is as follows:[citation needed]

  • Before starting the test, patient's near and distance vision should be corrected to normal. If the patient is wearing spectacles, testing should be done with glasses only especially if you have near glasses.
  • In a well illuminated room, ask the patient to hold the grid 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) away from the face.
  • Ask to cover one eye with hand or occluder and look directly at the center black dot.
  • While looking directly at the center dot, and observe the grid whether patient can see all corners and sides of grid. If any lines or areas look blurry, wavy, dark or blank mark that area in chart and consult ophthalmologist.
  • Follow the same steps with the other eye.
  • Always remember to keep the Amsler's Chart at the same distance from the eyes each time you test.
  • This test can be self done at home also.

  1. ↑ "Amsler Grid: A Test for Macular Degeneration and Other Vision Problems". All About Vision.
  2. ↑ Richard C. Allen (2017-01-09). "Amsler Grid Testing".
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tripathy, Koushik; Salini, Baby (2020). "Amsler Grid". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
  4. ↑ Midena, Edoardo; Vujosevic, Stela (2016). "Metamorphopsia: An Overlooked Visual Symptom". Ophthalmic Research. 55 (1): 26–36. doi:10.1159/000441033. hdl:2434/881140. ISSN 0030-3747. PMID 26554918.
  5. ↑ "How to Use the Amsler Grid". BrightFocus Foundation. 26 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "Choroidal Neovascular Membranes: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology". 9 November 2019.
  7. ↑ Su, Daniel; Greenberg, Andrew; Simonson, Joseph L.; Teng, Christopher C.; Liebmann, Jeffrey M.; Ritch, Robert; Park, Sung Chul (April 2016). "Efficacy of the Amsler Grid Test in Evaluating Glaucomatous Central Visual Field Defects". Ophthalmology. 123 (4): 737–743. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.12.003. ISSN 1549-4713. PMID 26783097.
  8. ↑ "Visual Field Loss - Hemianopsia.net Everything you need to know about Hemianopsia". www.hemianopsia.net.
  9. ↑ "Amsler grid". Smart Optometry.