12 September 2010

Amsler grids

Amsler grids are an easy way to test eyesight - especially for problems like macular degeneration and glaucoma. You look at the central black dot with one eye at a time, and note any missing areas, bent lines etc.


This is how the Amsler grid looks for me, when I look with either eye ...


ETA : This is the test that convinced me something really was wrong (in my case, neurological vision loss caused by neuro-sarcoidosis). If you have vision loss in both eyes in the same region on the Amsler grid, go to Casualty! It is neurological in origin, something happening in your brain not your eyes, and could be from a stroke. Don't muck about.

13 comments:

  1. You have to know that I went straight to a grid to check my eyesight. I don't usually allow myself to be medically seduced by the internet. It is so easy to diagnose myself...

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  2. Goodness gracious ...

    I was reading online (furiously trying to research what you're going through) and found that sheep's woolly bodies are often treated with toxins that can cause this type of nerve damage, common among farmers and also if the sheep's wool is used as insulation. Scary!

    I read something where the nerve damage was reverse in mice experiments. Oh, dear - I hope there's something to mitigate the damage and reverse it.

    You are constantly in my thoughts...

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  3. Sweetheart, this is totally fucky! I do hope it repairs. You can keep knitting, of course, but your crosswords - How can you proof your cryptograms? Repairs are definitely in order!!

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  4. My GP practice has one of these in the waiting room. I have checked myself on it several times (fortunately qith completely clear results). I think it is a great idea for them to have it there, it is such as easy test and so tempting when you are hanging around waiting! But very upsetting to see the results of what you see :(

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  5. thanks for posting this, i was dizzy last night but am not worried now. what a nightmare this must be for you xx

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  6. I'm glad it wasn't a stroke. Losing sight is such a scary thought for someone who is so visually oriented.

    I hope it repairs itself or they can do some medical magic and make it better. I'll be thinking of you and sending healing repairing thoughts.

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  7. Denise - I am so sorry to catch up on your tale. Hope you have a diagnosis soon and I'm glad it's not a stroke, and I hope it's not MS. Sending healing thoughts.

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  8. Oh dear thats scary,I often think what would I do if I lost my sight or my hands ! My father has Macular degenrative disease and my Opt checks me regularly
    Thank you for visiting my blog,I sort fell by the way with posting even though I like to write entries.Put it down to too many things on the go!
    My hair is now getting long enough to pin up neatly and m wondering if Im getting abit old to have this length.I only grew it out so as not to have hat hair when wearing my Motor Bike helmut,LOL
    Good with eyes,Ill check back more often to cheer you along!!!

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  9. That is scary. Lately I've been reading about how adult brains grow new cells, which is the opposite of what I was taught in school. So I guess that means it's possible for our brains to repair themselves.

    *crosses fingers for you*

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  10. After looking at this grid with my right eye the center dot was blurred with out bent lines I went to my eye doctor and after tests I had a blood vessel burst in the back of my eyes causing this vision problem he said that it should go away with in a month or two. Hope you all get better. Felix

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  11. I hope your eyesight improves, too, Felix! I think I have some permanent vision loss, in small patches across my peripheral vision, unfortunately.

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  12. sigh.. i have best's disease and it's becoming obvious in my left eye -- i hope they can fix it someday

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  13. Amsler grids were always confusing to me, but I know that they are used to help test your eye sight. It is good that they figured out a way to test something like that. I know that it has been around for years now, but it is still good to have.
    Jak Mason | http://www.dxdtengineering.com/

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