Answer: Wavy lines on an Amsler grid do not always mean you have age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. A cyst or macular pucker can also cause waviness. The Amsler grid is used to monitor many conditions affecting the macula (part of the retina used for crystal clear central vision) and optic nerve.
People with macular degeneration may see wavy lines instead of straight ones in the center of their field of vision, or objects may appear blurry. They may have trouble reading or see geometric shapes. Other people with aggressive forms of macular degeneration may completely lose central vision.
Wavy or distorted lines in your vision could be a sign that you have keratoconus, but it could also be an indicator for retinal tears, retinal detachment, or macular degeneration. These eye conditions need to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible so that you can maintain crisp, clear vision.
Autosomal dominant retinal dystrophies that may masquerade as AMD include cone dystrophy, adult vitelliform dystrophy, pattern dystrophy, North Carolina macular dystrophy, Doyne honeycomb dystrophy and Sorsby macular dystrophy.
In late AMD (wet or dry type), many people notice that straight lines start to look wavy or crooked. You may also notice a blurry area near the center of your vision. Over time, this blurry area may get bigger or you may see blank spots.
Blurry or fuzzy vision. Difficulty recognizing familiar faces. Straight lines appear wavy. A dark, empty area or blind spot appears in the center of vision.
There is no cure and sight quality will decline over time, but an eye specialist can offer help in managing the condition and adjusting to the sight loss. Astigmatism is a condition in which the eye cannot process light correctly.
A recent study done by Jama Ophthalmology has found that an alarming one in four cases of AMD was overlooked and misdiagnosed.
The dry form of macular degeneration is usually mild. Wet macular degeneration can happen more quickly and be more serious. It occurs when vessels under the retinal layer hemorrhage and cause the retinal cells to die creating blind spots or distorted vision in the central vision.
If you have macular degeneration, the lines may appear wavy or curved, or you may see a blank or dark area in the middle of the grid. In the second grid, the lines around the centre are wavy and distorted. This is one example of how the straight lines in the grid above might appear to someone with macular degeneration.
In fact, the first symptoms of this eye condition are: vision difficulties like dark spots and black wavy lines. Untreated glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness.
An ocular migraine gives a temporary visual disturbance, or 'aura'. This will often be described as 'zig-zagging' lights or lines (like looking through a kaleidoscope) or, occasionally as though the vision has become 'rippled' ( like looking through water).
People with a macular pucker may notice that their vision is blurry or mildly distorted, and straight lines can appear wavy.
The optometrist at your local optician's practice can test sight, prescribe glasses and check for eye disease. Some optometrists use photography or other imaging to detect early signs of macular degeneration. These might include optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans which create cross-sectional images of the retina.
Dilated eye exam
Using a slit lamp with high magnification, your doctor will look for drusen, yellowish deposits that grow beneath the retina. These deposits create a speckled appearance and are often the first signs of AMD.
Amsler Grid
You cover one eye and stare at a black dot in the center of the grid. While staring at the dot, if the straight lines in the grid appear wavy or are missing, it could be a sign of AMD.
The general timeline for the progression of dry AMD from the initial diagnosis to significant vision loss is usually over several years, often within 10 years. However, with the right treatment, many AMD patients can reduce the risk of significant vision loss and preserve their vision for many years.
A cyst or macular pucker can also cause waviness. The Amsler grid is used to monitor many conditions affecting the macula (part of the retina used for crystal clear central vision) and optic nerve. Other eye conditions, like dry eye, can also cause the lines to appear wavy.
Wet macular degeneration symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen quickly. They may include: Visual distortions, such as straight lines seeming bent. Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
Causes of floaters and flashes
They're usually caused by a harmless process called posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the gel inside your eyes changes. Sometimes they can be caused by retinal detachment. This is serious and can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated.
When subjected to the long-term effects of high blood pressure, the following conditions can develop: Blood vessel damage (retinopathy): A lack of blood flow to the retina leads to blurred vision or the complete loss of sight.
Symptoms of astigmatism:
Blurry, distorted vision at all distances. Straight lines appear wavy.