What to expect when using this visual field test

The Amsler grid is a basic visual field test.

This paper-based eye exam can easily be performed at home to monitor for disorders involving your central vision.

The other visual field tests must be administered in an eye doctor’s office.

Woman looking at Amsler grid test for macular degeneration

BSIP / Getty Images

What Can the Amsler Grid Help Diagnose?

Is this OK to use?

Amsler originally created this test on a black background with white lines and a white central dot.

The Amsler grid on a white background is a modified version.

To perform the self-administered Amsler grid test follow the following directions at least weekly.

If the lines appear distorted or disappear, you should mark the areas where these were noted.

Distorted or warped lines represent metamorphopsia, while lines that disappear represent blind spots (scotomas).

If you notice distortion for the first time, you will need to have a professional eye exam.

Identification of blind spots tends to have low accuracy as compared to other testing methods.

Only about 50 percent of blind spots are identified using the Amsler grid.

Results of a multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the preferential hyperacuity perimeter for detection of age-related macular degeneration.

2005 Apr-May;25(3):296-303.

Tripathy K, Salini B. Amsler Grid.

[Updated 2019 Jul 31].

In: StatPearls [Internet].

Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538141/

Visual Field Test.

American Academy of Opthalmology.https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/visual-field-testing.

Updated January 27, 2019.