Macular Degeneration Test

There’s more than one macular degeneration test you can have done. The very fact that we don’t have a cure for AMD means that you should do everything you can do to prevent its onset.

Diet and supplementation and lifestyle choices (such as choosing to be a non-smoker) are important if you know your family has a history of AMD.

I encourage you to have your baseline eye exam done by the age of 40. Be sure to see the eye doctor every one or two years after you’ve reached 65.

The Visual Acuity Test is the first macular degeneration test your doctor will do. It’s a test that checks how sharp your vision is, where a chart of black letters on white background is used.

Dilated Pupil Test

During this test, your doctor will use drops in your eyes in order to examine the back of your eye. Your doctor is checking as to whether yellow deposits, called drusen, have appeared under your retina.

The accumulation of drusen is the first sign of age-related macular degeneration, although it doesn’t necessarily mean you have it. It means you’re at risk in terms of developing AMD.

Amsler Grid

In this test, your doctor is checking your center vision by looking at the macula. The macula is located at the center of your retina.

The Amsler Grid tests for whether you’re seeing wavy, or distorted, lines. Folks with the more advanced form of AMD, wet macular degeneration, will notice that straight lines (such as a telephone pole) look wavy and distorted.

This test also checks for blurred vision or dark spots on the grid. If you can discover these symptoms early and the new blood vessel growth that occurs in wet AMD, then you have the opportunity to perform laser treatment.

Did you know you can perform the Amsler Grid exam at home? Hold the grid at arm’s length with your regular glasses on. Always use the same lighting source so tests are consistent.

Cover one of your eyes and stare at the Grid’s center black dot. Repeat with your other eye. It’s time to see your doctor right away if you see distortions, wavy lines, or dark spots.

You can download a free Amsler grid here

Genetic Testing With Macula Risk

Macula Risk is a newer genetic test for anyone already diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. It helps to uncover whether you’re at low, medium or high risk for severe vision loss in the future.

To perform the exam, doctors swab inside of your cheek and then send it to the lab for results.

Living After Macular Degeneration Test is Positive

I, too, live with low vision, as I was diagnosed with Angioid streaks over 25 years ago.

One of the aspects to low vision I believe needs more discussion is how to successfully live with impaired sight. This has developed into my passion for teaching folks about the technology that exists for making our lives easier.

Once you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration, feelings of loss, anger and frustration can be immense. You may feel your independence is lost as activities that used to be simple, such as reading or driving, have now become difficult.

Today, there’s a vast variety of high tech gear you can use, such as talking books, magnifiers, screen reading software, etc that makes living with low vision a far more independent experience than you may currently think is possible.

I encourage you to fill out the form below and I’ll send you exciting details about today’s low vision technological advancements.