Amsler grid reading

[sueahall]

Having read through a few posts I am a little confused regarding the Amsler grid.

I was diagnosed with AMD about 10 years ago in one eye, although at the start there was no mention of this condition. Over the first 6 years I saw numerous consultants nhs and private and from the beginning I was seeing slightly wavy lines but there was no mention of wet amd as such. After 6 years of feeling let down I paid to see a top consultant and he immediately gave me an Avastin injection. He referred me to a local Moorfields clinic and there I received about 26 injections of Lucentis and Eyelea over about 3 years. To start with my eye was kept stable and I could see to a degree but 2 years in I was diagnosed with a Cateract. They decided to operate fairly quickly but after the operation my eye deteriorated slightly. About a year ago they decided to stop the injections even though I was still able to see a little. Having read a couple of posts I feel they gave up too soon possibly as I now cannot see very well in this eye and it is now causing a problem.

My point about the grid is that I have dry amd in my other eye and constantly look at the grid. At the moment it is okay no wavy lines. So do wavy lines always mean wet amd? I also have a feeling there is an cateract starting in this eye too as a recent optician mentioned this. I just cannot face the decision of what to do. I am thinking I should pay out to see the top consultant again as I just feel when it comes to amd you can not rely on the nhs.

Sorry to ramble on but if someone could just clarify about the grid.

[Hidden]

Hi Sue I think the grid is just to help you to track where you are now and help monitor any degradation over time, so if you have no wavy lines then things are Ok, my grid has distortion but over time this have remained stable, hope this helps

Paul

[sueahall]

Thanks PAUL, that is what I thought but replies to other posts seem to differ. Just keep fingers crossed then.

[RosMacularSociety Partner]

Dear sueahall ,

It is wise to check the Amsler grid at least once a week. Essentially you are looking for any changes on the grid from one week to the next. A variety of changes could be indicators that the wet form of AMD is developing. Not all of them will be present. Wavy lines are one of the signs that could be present and can be indicative of wet AMD. I am copying a link to our Guide to AMD. Please refer to pp. 6-7, which can also be applied to Amsler grid use and pp. 20-21:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

Essentially if you see any changes on the Amsler grid at all from one week to the next, then it is important to err on the side of caution and get to the opticians or emergency eye clinic as soon as possible. I am copying links to our Treatments booklet and our Care guide for wet AMD:

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

I hope that this addresses your query?

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further help. The Macular Society helpline is open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0300 3030 111.

Alternately, you can contact us via:

[e-mail]

Kind regards,

[susanTL in reply to RosMacularSociety]

I went once to the very crowded A&E at the Western Eye Hospital in london., where I receive injections which are athey lways carefully explained. However, this time they just said they would notify the chief consultant. So if you follow this advice prepare for a long wait and to be very persistent and ensure you are on the regular appointments list

[RP1944]

Never seen an a Amsler grid in my life. No one in The NHS has ever mentioned one or offered me one. Optician just told me to look at something straight, ie edge of door and if it got wavy go back and see her

Which I did, hence the 10 injections so far.

[fernowl in reply to RP1944]

You can find free Amsler grids online. Just Google it.

[RP1944 in reply to fernowl]

Thankmyou

[RosMacularSociety Partner in reply to RP1944]

Dear RP1944,

If you email the Macular Society helpline on:

[e-mail]

leaving your contact address, then we can post a couple of Amsler grids out to you.

Alternatively, please ring us on 0300 3030 111.

Kind regards,

Macular Society Helpline

[RP1944 in reply to RosMacularSociety]

Thank you so much for your response. I will email my address to you.

[fernowl]

I do not have AMD, I have diabetic macular edema that is refusing to heal. I see wavy lines on the grid too. In fact, after cataract surgery, I could barely see the grid at all. Now, a little over 2 years later, I see almost all of the grid but it is still wavy. You want to be able to see the grid and you want to see the lines slowly start to get straighter. The straighter the lines are, the better your overall vision will be and the healthier your eye is.

[Hidden]

When I was first diagnosed with dry I was told to monitor my eyes with the amsler chart and if I saw any changes/distortions to go to A&E straightaway. When I did go to A&E they told me that I had done the right thing going and must always go to A&E when I saw any changes/distortions. I understood that distortions\scarring meant that the dry had progressed to wet - now I understand you can get distortions\scarring with dry. How do others cope with distorted vision and everything looking wavy.