Having A Macular Degeneration Test
If you are over the age of 50 and your vision is starting to worsen, then it may be time for you to take a macular degeneration test using an Amsler grid. Aged Related Macular Degeneration (or ARMD) is a disease that affects many people and it is becoming more and more common in today’s “baby boomers”. Finding out if you have it is the first step in controlling the disease and possibly delaying its progress.
The best way to test your eyes for ARMD is to use an Amsler grid. This grid is used by Ophthalmologists to detect any problems that occur because of damage to the macula. The macula is found at the center of the retina and diseases such as ARMD and glaucoma are often found in their early stages using information that is charted on the Amsler grid.
The grid is actually just a chart that you can use at home to monitor how your vision is doing. Even so, you still need to see an eye specialist so that you can get expert advice on how far your disease has progressed. There are Amsler grids online that you can print out for your home use and, if you think you may be getting or have ARMD, then take the chart with you when you see your doctor.
Once you have printed out the grid, hold it about the same distance from your eyes as ordinary reading material. Wear your glasses if you use them for reading. Then, cover one of your eyes and focus on the dot in the middle of the grid. Things to watch for are: lines in the grid that appear distorted, missing or dark areas within the grid and corners and sides of the grid are not visible to you. Make sure that you perform the test on both of your eyes because the disease can strike just one eye at a time.
If any ARMD signs show up as you perform the Amsler test, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Take your grid with you and mark the areas that you had difficulty seeing. This macular degeneration test will assist both you and your doctor in setting up your best treatment options.
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